By Micah Jonah
January 9, 2026
US President, Donald Trump has confirmed that he is not considering granting a presidential pardon to music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, despite receiving a formal request from the entertainer.
Trump told The New York Times that Combs, who is serving a 50-month federal prison sentence after being convicted on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution, sent him a letter seeking clemency. Trump said he had seen the letter but made clear he did not plan to act on the request, declined to provide details of its contents.
In the interview, Trump also indicated he does not intend to pardon other high-profile figures whose names were raised during questioning, including former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried and ousted Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Trump’s decision comes amid ongoing public discussion about his use of presidential clemency powers, which he has exercised in other cases since taking office in 2025. Combs’ legal team had expressed hope that past personal ties might influence the decision, but the President said the rapper’s outspoken criticism of him during his earlier political campaigns made a pardon less likely.
With the pardon request rejected, Combs is expected to serve the remainder of his sentence, and his legal team may pursue other avenues such as appeal.
