President Donald Trump addressed the possibility of pardoning Sean "Diddy" Combs for the first time since the music mogul’s acquittal on major charges in a federal sex-crimes trial last month.
In an Aug. 1 Newsmax interview with Rob Finnerty, Trump discussed potential pardons for Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell, and former Rep. George Santos.
When asked about pardoning Combs, Trump sidestepped a direct answer, noting that negative comments Combs made about him would make a pardon "more difficult." Combs was acquitted on July 2 of racketeering and sex trafficking charges involving ex-girlfriends Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine and another woman, following a nearly two-month trial. Prosecutors alleged Combs coerced them into drug-fueled "freak-off" sex parties. He was convicted on two lesser counts of transportation for prostitution.
Trump remarked, "Well, he was ... half-innocent. I don’t know what they do, he’s still in jail or something. He was celebrating a victory, but I guess it wasn’t as good of a victory." He added, "I was very friendly with him, got along great, seemed like a nice guy. I didn’t know him well, but when I ran for office, he was very hostile."
President Trump reacts to media chatter of potential clemency or presidential pardons for figures like Ghislaine Maxwell, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and former Rep. George Santos. @RobFinnertyUSA pic.twitter.com/Hzd2ZaF2SA
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) August 2, 2025
Finnerty noted Combs’ critical remarks, to which Trump responded, "We’re human beings, and we don’t like to have things cloud our judgment. But when someone you knew was fine, then you run for office and they make terrible statements, it makes it more difficult."
When Finnerty asked if a pardon was "more likely a no," Trump agreed, saying, "I’d say so."
He appeared to reference Combs’ 2017 Daily Beast interview, where Combs used expletives and said Black people don’t care about Trump, calling D.C. politics "tomfoolery" and emphasizing self-love for his community.
Last week conservative host Megyn Kelly posted on X, urging Trump against a pardon, citing Combs’ Trump criticism and allegations of abuse, warning it could alienate young female voters and upset MAGA supporters.