Here's why it might be difficult for Donald Trump to pardon Diddy
Recent updates indicate that the US President is re-evaluating his stance on the matter.
Here's what the US President had to say regarding the potential pardon.
In May 2025, US President Trump first suggested the possibility of pardoning Diddy. Although the rapper had escaped sex-trafficking and racketeering charges, he was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
During his statement at the Oval Office, Trump mentioned that he would look into the matter and that he would be objective.
By late July 2025, a source from the administration revealed that Trump was 'seriously considering' a pardon for the rapper. This would have been exceptional news for the rapper and all of those who support him.
It appears though that Trump may be reconsidering granting Diddy a pardon.
Trump recently revealed that some of his previous interactions with Diddy have led him to rethink the pardon. During an interview with Newsmax on 1 August 2025, Trump shared that his relationship with Diddy had been amicable until the 2020 presidential election.
This is what Trump had to say about the nature of his relationship with the rapper and where he stands regarding the pardon:
I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great. Seemed like a nice guy, I didn't know him well. When I ran for office, he was very hostile. It's hard, we're human beings. We don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine and then you run for office and he made some terrible statements. It's more difficult. Makes it more, I'm being honest, makes it more difficult to do.
What are the statements that Diddy made that left a bad taste in Donald Trump's mouth, you ask?
During an interview with Charlamagne tha God in October 2020, Diddy expressed his candid feelings concerning Trump's re-election. He emphasised the need to keep figures like Trump out of power, suggesting that white men should be removed from the political landscape.
Judging by the interview, it was clear that Diddy was no fan of Trump's personally or in regard to his presidency.
Given Diddy's outspoken criticism, it's understandable why Trump might hesitate to consider any form of clemency for the rapper.
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