In a move stirring headlines and sparking reactions from 50 Cent and MAGA loyalists, former President Donald Trump has declined—for now—to issue a presidential pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was recently found guilty of prostitution-related charges in federal court.
In an interview with Newsmax on Friday, Trump clarified his stance:
“Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half innocent… but he said very nasty things.”
Despite earlier reports suggesting Trump was “seriously considering” pardoning Diddy, the former president now appears to be pulling back—at least temporarily. Trump’s remarks follow an intense backlash from conservatives, including 50 Cent and Megyn Kelly, warning that a pardon could alienate young female voters and hurt Trump’s base.
Diddy Found Guilty on Lesser Charges
While Diddy avoided conviction on the more serious sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, he was found guilty by a jury on July 2 of transportation for prostitution. He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years and remains held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Federal prosecutors are pushing for a lengthy sentence, citing disturbing evidence from the eight-week trial. Meanwhile, Diddy’s legal team is working to fight continued denial of his $50 million bail request ahead of sentencing on October 2.
Trump’s Pardon Game: Politics and Payback
Sources close to Trump suggest that the idea of pardoning Diddy wasn’t only about justice—it was about politics. Trump’s longstanding feud with former FBI Director James Comey, whose daughter Maurene was the prosecutor in Diddy’s case, adds another layer of motivation. Some insiders say Trump saw the case as a chance to embarrass the DOJ and stick it to the Comeys.
Still, Trump publicly cited Diddy’s past criticism of him as a reason for pause:
“He was very hostile when I ran for office and it’s hard. So, I don’t know… it’s more difficult.”
50 Cent Celebrates the “No Pardon” News
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who has publicly supported Trump and has beef with Combs, reacted quickly online:
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“Can you believe he thought he was getting pardoned?” 50 posted on social media, adding, “No Sir, you are not. You said very nasty things.”
The post included an AI-generated meme mocking Diddy’s dashed hopes and a nod to 50’s previous pledge to convince Trump not to intervene.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
The pardon speculation has fueled division inside MAGA ranks. Conservative commentators like Megyn Kelly warned that a Diddy pardon would “send the wrong message” and damage Trump’s standing with young female voters, a demographic Republicans have struggled to reach.
Meanwhile, ongoing conspiracy theories surrounding the delayed release of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein have placed even more scrutiny on Trump’s connections to convicted sex offenders, including Epstein and newly transferred inmate Ghislaine Maxwell.
What’s Next for Diddy and Trump?
For now, Diddy remains behind bars, awaiting sentencing on October 2. But given Trump’s notoriously unpredictable decision-making, a pardon isn’t entirely off the table. With pressure mounting from all sides—and Trump’s legal and political ambitions in full swing—this saga could take many more twists before it ends.
As one insider put it:
“Trump being Trump… it could all change on a dime.”
