(L) Diddy. Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage. (R) Donald Trump. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Close associates of Sean “Diddy” Combs have been networking with President Donald Trump’s circle to lay the groundwork for a pardon of the incarcerated rap mogul, Rolling Stone reports. The efforts allegedly began soon after Trump won a second term as president in November 2024, just over two months after Diddy was charged with a slew of federal crimes including racketeering and sex trafficking.
A source told Rolling Stone the conversations are “ongoing and preliminary” with a focus on “making connections” with Trump’s close associates in order to establish more high-level lines of communication. Trump himself may not be aware these conversations are taking place, and some senior Trump officials aware of the discussions have reportedly expressed “deep reservations” about any pardon over the likely enormous political blowback.
Still, Diddy’s team are reportedly taking cues from Trump’s own public pronouncements concerning his multiple pre-election legal issues to garner sympathy: “The words ‘deep state’ came up once or twice,” a Diddy source allegedly said. Diddy and Trump’s personal history may also be an asset, with the current President proclaiming he was “a good friend” during a 2012 episode of his reality show The Apprentice.
“He’s willing to do anything to get out of jail,” a person who has known Combs for a decade said. “He’s always been this way. He’s always going to do what he has to do to get out of a situation.”
Diddy’s trial began this week. In their opening statements, prosecutors accused Diddy of leading “a criminal enterprise” while the defence said the conduct in the case concerned “voluntary adult choices made by capable adults in consensual relationships.” Diddy’s former partner Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s testimony concluded on May 16 after four days detailing graphic allegations of rape and physical abuse.
The FADER has reached out to Diddy’s representatives for comment.
