Diddy’s allies are actively working for a Trump pardon
Sean “Diddy” Combs is fighting for his freedom in a New York courtroom. But behind the scenes, his team is playing a different game.
They’re not just preparing for trial. They’re preparing for a pardon.
Earlier this week, The Onion published a satirical piece with the headline: “Sean Combs Asks for Quick Trial So He Can Get to Part Where Trump Pardons Him”.
While meant to be humorous, it highlights a very real strategy that Combs’ team is employing.
The Trial and the Shadow Campaign
Combs is currently on trial in the Southern District of New York, facing serious charges of sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
The trial began last week, and Combs has pleaded not guilty to all five federal counts against him.
If convicted, he could face 15 years to life in prison.
He’s already moved for a speedy trial, turned down a plea deal, and is desperate to leave the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
But while the legal battle plays out in court, another battle is being fought behind closed doors.
Since Donald Trump won the presidential election in November 2024, Combs’ close associates have been busy.
They’ve been reaching out to Trump transition and administration officials, as well as others in the president’s inner circle.
Sources familiar with the matter tell Rolling Stone that these conversations are ongoing and preliminary.
The goal? To build relationships that could be useful if Combs needs a pardon or commutation.
“He’s willing to do anything to get out of jail,” a source who has known Combs for a decade tells Rolling Stone.
“He’s always been this way. He’s always going to do what he has to do to get out of a situation.” Another source adds, “He doesn’t even like Donald Trump.”
| Key Details of Combs’ Case | Information |
|---|---|
| Charges | Sex-trafficking, racketeering conspiracy |
| Court | Southern District of New York |
| Plea | Not guilty |
| Potential Sentence | 15 years to life |
| Current Status | Awaiting trial outcome, detained in Brooklyn |
The Strategy: Framing Diddy as a Victim
Combs’ supporters are framing his case in terms that resonate with Trump’s base.
They’re painting him as a victim of the “deep state,” much like they believe Trump is.
They argue that both Combs and Trump are successful businessmen and celebrities who have been unfairly targeted by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York.
They also point out that both have faced numerous sexual assault allegations, which they claim are false.
During these private outreach efforts, the term “deep state” has been used to describe the forces allegedly working against Combs, mirroring the language often used by Trump and his supporters.
One source told Rolling Stone that the phrase “deep state” came up “once or twice” in these discussions.
Combs’ legal team is also emphasizing that the case is about his private life, not his business dealings.
Attorney Teny Geragos stated in opening arguments, “This case is about Sean Combs’ private, personal sex life, which has nothing to do with his lawful businesses. The government has no place here in this man’s private bedrooms.”
The sources describe these conversations as “Diddy World making connections with the Trump team.”
A spokesperson for Combs did not return requests for comment, nor did the White House.
A Longstanding Relationship
Combs and Trump have a history that spans years. In a 2012 episode of Celebrity Apprentice, Trump referred to Combs as his “friend” and expressed admiration for him.
“I love Diddy,” Trump said. “You know he’s a good friend of mine; he’s a good guy.”
When contestant Aubrey O’Day, a former artist for Combs, was asked about his character, she declined to answer, but Trump added, “I’m going to stick up for him anyway.”
Combs has also shown support for Trump in the past.
In his 2006 track “We Gon’ Make It,” he name-drops Trump alongside other wealthy figures: “I spend absurd money, private bird money/That Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Bloomberg money.”
Trump has been spotted at several of Combs’ high-profile events in New York City, including his lavish birthday parties.
In 2015, during Trump’s presidential campaign, Combs told The Washington Post, “Donald Trump is a friend of mine, and he works very hard”.
And in October 2016, just before the election, he appeared on MSNBC and commented on Obama’s presidency, saying, “I think [Black communities] got a little bit shortchanged,” though he praised Obama for doing “an excellent job.”
| Combs-Trump Relationship Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Combs name-drops Trump in “We Gon’ Make It” |
| 2012 | Trump calls Combs a “friend” on Celebrity Apprentice |
| 2015 | Combs praises Trump’s work ethic in Washington Post interview |
| 2016 | Combs comments on Obama, indirectly referencing Trump |
Skepticism in Trump’s Circle
Despite these connections, not all Trump administration officials are receptive to the idea of pardoning Combs.
Some senior officials who are aware of the outreach have expressed significant reservations, citing the gravity of the charges against him.
Combs is accused of sex-trafficking two of his ex-girlfriends as recently as 2024, according to sources familiar with the case.
These allegations, if proven true, would make a pardon highly controversial and politically damaging for Trump.
One source told Rolling Stone that even with the preexisting relationship between Combs and Trump, securing clemency would be an “uphill battle” and a “public-relations nightmare.”
Another source added that while the outreach is happening, there’s no evidence that Trump himself is personally aware of these conversations.
The president has not publicly commented on Combs’ charges or prosecution.
A History of Celebrity Pardons
Trump has a track record of granting pardons and commutations to individuals with celebrity status or personal connections to him.
At the end of his first term, he pardoned rapper Lil Wayne, who had been sentenced to prison on gun charges.
Trump later claimed that Lil Wayne had been nice to him and supported him politically.
However, after a Rolling Stone cover story on Lil Wayne, some former Trump officials complained that the rapper seemed ungrateful and had manipulated Trump and his advisers, including Jared Kushner.
Another example is Michael “Harry-O” Harris, a co-founder of Death Row Records and a friend of Snoop Dogg.
Trump commuted his sentence in 2021 after Harris had served 33 years for drug charges.
Initially, Trump was hesitant because he believed Snoop Dogg still disliked him, but after seeing footage that suggested otherwise, he granted the commutation.
Corey Jacobs, a senior adviser to Combs and a trusted friend from his teenage years, also has experience with presidential clemency.
Jacobs walked free from prison when then-President Barack Obama granted him clemency in December 2016 after serving a life sentence for drug charges.
These cases illustrate Trump’s willingness to use his presidential power to benefit those he considers friends or allies, often in a transactional manner.
However, the severity of Combs’ charges could complicate any potential pardon.
Voices of Doubt
Not everyone believes a pardon is likely. Gene Deal, Combs’ former bodyguard from the 1990s, expressed doubts in an interview with The Art of Dialogue.
He noted that Combs had criticized Trump in the past and endorsed Joe Biden, suggesting Trump’s “petty” nature might prevent a pardon.
Conversely, Suge Knight, former CEO of Death Row Records, suggested on NewsNation’s CUOMO that Trump might pardon Combs if convicted, citing Trump’s past clemency for Harris.
These conflicting opinions highlight the uncertainty surrounding the issue.
The Road Ahead
As Sean Combs’ trial progresses, the possibility of a presidential pardon looms in the background.
His allies are actively working to build relationships with Trump’s administration, hoping to secure a safety net if the legal system fails him.
They’re leveraging past ties, framing Combs as a victim, and banking on Trump’s history of favoring celebrities.
Whether Trump will ultimately grant a pardon remains uncertain. The severity of the charges against Combs and the potential political fallout could deter him.
Public perception, especially given the nature of the allegations, could also play a significant role.
However, given Trump’s history of unpredictable and transactional decisions, nothing can be ruled out.
For now, the focus remains on the courtroom, where Combs’ fate will be decided.
But in the shadows, a different kind of negotiation is taking place—one that could redefine the intersection of celebrity, politics, and justice.
