President Donald Trump stated he’s unlikely to difficulty a presidential pardon to Sean “Diddy” Combs, citing previous feedback the music mogul made about him and referring to Combs as “half-innocent” following his latest conviction.
Supply: JOE SCHILDHORN/Patrick McMullan/ Dimitrios Kambouris/ / Getty
In accordance with Rolling Stone, Trump addressed the matter throughout an interview with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty on Friday, stating,
“Effectively, he was primarily, I suppose, form of half-innocent… however once I ran for workplace, he was very hostile… it makes it harder to do.”
Trump’s remarks comply with Combs’ July 2 conviction on two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution. He was acquitted of extra critical intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy costs. Every of the 2 remaining counts carries a possible sentence of as much as 10 years. Combs is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3.
50 Cent Reacts On-line
Rapper 50 Cent by no means shies away from sharing his opinion. Reported by Deadline, rapper and tv govt Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson responded to Trump’s feedback Friday evening on social media. He posted an AI-generated picture and wrote,
“Are you able to consider he thought he was getting pardoned? No Sir, you aren’t. You stated very nasty issues.”
In accordance with Rolling Stone, Combs’ authorized crew has filed a 62-page movement asking a decide to vacate his conviction or grant a brand new trial targeted on the remaining prostitution counts. In addition they submitted a request for bail earlier this week. Prosecutors with the Southern District of New York filed a counter-motion requesting that Combs stay detained till sentencing.
Combs is at the moment being held on the Metropolitan Detention Middle in Brooklyn, the place he has been since his arrest in September 2024.
Pardon Marketing campaign and Monetary Affords
Rolling Stone stories that Combs’ associates started lobbying Trump’s allies shortly after the 2024 presidential election. Sources informed the publication that Combs’ supporters provided mid-six-figure funds to political operatives and lobbyists with ties to Trump to advocate for a pardon.
Whereas a few of Trump’s associates thought of the request, senior advisers reportedly expressed concern because of the nature of the costs and the potential political fallout.
Additionally in Rolling Stone, a gaggle of survivors related to the broader investigation is getting ready a letter urging Trump to not difficulty a pardon. A draft of the letter reviewed by the outlet states, “A pardon wouldn’t be justice however a devastating message to survivors in all places: that our lives, our ache, and our reality are nonetheless negotiable.”
Political and Authorized Context
In Deadline, Trump’s concerns can also be formed by his long-standing rigidity with the Southern District of New York and former FBI Director James Comey. Maurene Comey, the lead prosecutor within the case earlier than being eliminated, is James Comey’s daughter.
Trump beforehand expressed a willingness to look at the case. On Might 30, he stated,
“I will surely take a look at the information if I believe any person was mistreated, whether or not they like me or don’t like me.”
Throughout Friday’s interview with Newsmax, Trump reiterated that his determination was influenced by private and political historical past.
“We’re human beings,” he stated. “And we don’t wish to have issues cloud our judgment, proper?”
Conclusion: Energy, Petty, and Politics
Trump calling Diddy “half-innocent” is perhaps essentially the most passive-aggressive pardon denial we’ve seen in fashionable politics—and in typical Trump trend, the assertion says extra about ego than proof. In the meantime, 50 Cent’s digital victory lap reveals there’s no beef too massive to carry to the timeline whereas Combs continues to struggle for a decreased sentence and a shot at bail.
