Topline
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has contacted the Trump administration about a pardon for the rapper, according to CNN, seeking to have two federal convictions against him dropped even though President Donald Trump has expressed hesitation about a pardon.
Combs was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in July.
(Photo by JOE SCHILDHORN/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Key Facts
Combs attorney Nicole Westmoreland told CNN the rapper’s team has contacted the Trump administration about a pardon for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Westmoreland told CNN it is her “understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon.”
The push from Combs’ legal team comes days after Trump told Newsmax he once got along with Combs but “when I ran for office, he was very hostile,” adding that the hostility makes pardoning the rapper “more difficult to do.”
Westmoreland said she believes Combs feels “hopeful” about a chance of a pardon.
The White House declined to state whether a request had been made.
Forbes has reached out to Combs’ media and legal teams.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
What Other Celebrities Has Trump Pardoned?
Trump has pardoned a range of celebrities and public figures in his two terms. The president pardoned rapper Lil Wayne before leaving office in 2020, clearing a federal weapons conviction. The president also pardoned Kentrell Gaulden, also known as NBA YoungBoy, this year after the rapper was sentenced to two years in prison for gun-related charges. Trump pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley of the reality TV show “Chrisley Knows Best.” The Chrisleys were convicted in 2022 of tax evasion, wire fraud and other financial crimes that carried a sentence of 12 years for Todd and 7 years for Julie.
Key Background
Combs was found guilty on two of his five federal charges, being acquitted of two counts of sex trafficking and one count of racketeering conspiracy—the most serious charges he faced, which carried the potential for life imprisonment. Combs is still awaiting his sentencing on the prostitution counts as prosecutors are pushing for a four- to five-year prison sentence. The rapper is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 3. and is pushing for a new trial, alleging his federal convictions were unconstitutional.
Further Reading
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Pushes For New Trial As Trump Reportedly Considers Pardon (Forbes)