Could Diddy’s 20-Year Sentence Be Reduced by Trump?

Former US President Donald Trump is once again in the headlines for his involvement in rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs’ conviction and trial. On August 1, Trump was asked on Newsmax’s Finnerty on Friday whether he would look into pardoning Combs. The rap mogul and entertainment executive was recently found guilty on one of five federal charges last month.

The Bad Boy Records founder was found guilty of transportation with intent to promote or facilitate prostitution, but was acquitted of other, more serious allegations like sex trafficking and racketeering. The case had been on and off the courtroom for a total of seven weeks of testimonies, drama, and other less flattering events. Many have also heard of singer Cassie Ventura’s accusations against the hip-hop artist, who claims he abused her and took part in human trafficking during their relationship in the past. However, Combs has denied all claims against him and pleaded innocence.

During the interview, Trump noncommittally talked about the case but gave a glimmer of interest in the situation. “Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent,” Trump said. “He’s still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn’t as good a victory.”

Trump also mentioned that they were friends before Combs gained notoriety in the music scene. “We were very friendly. I got along with him great,” the former president continued, “But he used to like me a lot. I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. … I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me.”

The previous Trump administration may have left a sour taste for some rap icons, but it seemed like some have been forgiven for the time being. According to Trump’s statements, he hasn’t reached out to Combs in several years. Rap mogul Dr. Dre did, however, visit the former president after the Supreme Court of the United States decided against the historic defense of the Equality Act.

Past Discussions of Possible Pardons

The former commander in chief mentioned once before the possibility of a pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs. In May, during a series of press questions inside the Oval Office, Trump fielded a question from Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy. The ex-president answered in kind as if he did not commit an action one way or the other. “I would look at it, I would look at it,” Trump responded. “But, Peter, I will tell you that I don’t like that because when you’re president of the United States, you can’t have favorites.”

Trump was also asked if he had spoken to the Bad Boy founder recently. The former president gave a generic response that, although they were friends before his term, he has not had any contact with Combs in years. “I haven’t spoken to him in years, but if I think somebody was treated unfairly, whether they like me or not, it wouldn’t have any impact.”

Doocy followed up with another question that touched on Trump’s previous reactions to rappers’ similar situations. “But you have also talked about pardoning rappers before, correct?” Doocy asked.

“Yes,” Trump said. “I have, but we have not spoken. I will tell you this: that’s the way it works.”

Legal Battles and Trump’s Comments

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been a bit of a controversial figure over the past couple of weeks. While on trial over the last several months for various alleged charges. The current trial dates back to two years ago, when Combs was part of the same federal investigation of his co-defendants, who were accused of sex trafficking and other similar charges. The four-count indictment was dismissed, but the federal prosecutors re-filed for a five-count charge.

Combs has previously posted bail on his $500,000 bond, but a conviction could cost him the next 20 years in prison. The Bad Boy Records CEO will head back to the Federal District Court on October 3 for sentencing for the “lesser” charges. While the former president has kept an arm’s length from social media and recent news of his past involvement in politics or any other key decisions that have shaped the course of the country’s history since his term, he has since stepped down from Twitter’s influence, creating ownowne “Truth Social.”

As reported by Rolling Stone, during Trump’s interview with Newsmax’s Finnerty on Friday, he mused about the possibility of his presidential pardon powers when it comes to Combs. “If somebody has been treated unfairly, I’ll take a look at it,” Trump said of Combs’ conviction. “Because he got an unfair judge and, as you know, we have our very own special counsel, and she said that there was a conflict.”

Whether or not he has spoken to the Bad Boy founder or one of the artists on the label remains to be seen. For now, Trump has re-sparked new interest in the rapper’s recent legal troubles, and many speculate he will hold a post-October hearing ruling on whether or not the rapper should be pardoned as well.