In a matter of months, Sean “Diddy” Combs has gone from facing a potential life sentence behind bars to a dramatically favorable ruling — and now, if Donald Trump reportedly has his way, Diddy might even walk free.
One would think that, at this point in time, Trump has no leeway to take risks with his base when it comes to being lenient on sex crimes. He’s still very much trying — and failing — to scrub his ties to Epstein from the news cycle, and perhaps pardoning the orchestrator of the “freak offs” might not portray him as intolerant of sex crimes the way he needs to appear right now. Especially considering he’s also been tied to rumors of potentially freeing Ghislaine Maxwell.
The report, originating from Deadline, states that Trump — over the course of two months — has shifted from merely entertaining the idea of pardoning the Bad Boy Records executive to now “seriously considering” it. Sources revealed to the outlet that in Trump’s inner circle, this has escalated to an actual “actionable event.” Still, nothing can be taken as certain until Trump actually signs the paperwork. But if his recent trend of pardons is anything to go by, and Diddy publicly expresses admiration for the former president, then a pardon isn’t out of the question. Diddy’s lawyers were reached for comment, but they declined.
Social media, on the other hand, wasn’t short on commentary. People on X are livid, to say the least. Discussing Film posted the latest update on the Diddy case, and one person simply hoped Trump — knowing Diddy still has other cases pending — would stay away from this first one. Another user wondered what happened to accountability? But the comment that best encapsulated the moment came from someone who posted, “Sex crimes are legal in America apparently.”
I would think that Trump wouldn’t want anything to do with such a case, it’s a never ending situation and more trouble that it’s worth.
— Precious Muir (@PreciousMuir) July 30, 2025
Considering that #Diddy has a number of Civil Cases waiting for him after his Criminal Conviction; not to mention his ruined reputation.
The…
So we’re just handing out pardons now—no accountability?
— Sagar Mishra (@Sagarmishra121) July 30, 2025
Sex crimes are legal in America apparently
— Myles, Is this easy mode? (@MowzaProduction) July 30, 2025
Diddy’s lawyers have been working hard to have him released on bail, claiming that the “All About The Benjamins” rapper is the first person in history to be arrested under the Mann Act for engaging in consensual sex. The details of the case, of course, are far more complex than that. Two individuals who served as witnesses alleged they had little choice in participating in his various sex escapades. Ultimately, the jury ultimately reached a verdict far less harsh than what prosecutors had sought, and Diddy is now set to serve the sentence the judge deems appropriate.
Trump doesn’t have much to lose by pardoning Diddy. Yes, he’ll face criticism, but he can always lean on the same arguments Diddy’s lawyers are making about the Mann Act — and he’s been pardoning questionable figures all along without much pushback from his base. This could also serve as a convenient distraction from his ongoing Epstein saga. So, unfortunately, a pardon would simply be Trump staying on brand.
But for Diddy, even with a pardon, this is far from the end of his legal troubles. He’ll be in and out of court for the foreseeable future. It’s also worth remembering that R. Kelly beat his first child pornography charge back in 2008 — only to be convicted years later and sentenced to 30 years, following a documentary that laid out the full extent of his predatory behavior.
