Sean “Diddy” Combs may be granted a presidential pardon by Donald Trump ahead of his sentencing, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The music mogul was convicted in June on two counts under the Mann Act, a 1910 federal law originally created to combat human trafficking. He was acquitted of more serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, but remains in custody as he awaits sentencing later this year.
According to Deadline, individuals close to Trump say the former president is now “seriously considering” offering clemency to Combs. Trump first floated the idea of a potential pardon in May, saying he would “certainly” weigh the option. Recent reports indicate that discussions around a pardon have intensified, with Combs’ legal situation becoming a point of interest among Trump’s advisers.
On Tuesday, Combs’ legal team filed a motion requesting his release from pre-sentencing detention. The motion, submitted to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, argues that his imprisonment is both unjustified and without precedent. His attorneys say no other individual in the United States has been jailed under the Mann Act solely for engaging in consensual sex between adults.
The filing claims Combs’ conduct—paying male escorts while involved in a consensual swinger lifestyle with a former girlfriend—does not meet the threshold for federal criminal prosecution. His lawyers contend that the Justice Department typically applies the Mann Act to commercial trafficking cases, not private relationships between consenting adults.
“There has literally never been a case like this,” the motion states. The defense argues that Combs’ behavior did not involve coercion or profit-driven exploitation and that applying the Mann Act in this context is inconsistent with federal policy.
The Department of Justice has not commented on the case or the new filing. However, Combs’ conviction has drawn widespread attention and divided public opinion.
Some critics argue the case demonstrates selective enforcement due to Combs’ celebrity status. Others say the conviction affirms that no one is above the law, regardless of fame or influence.
If granted, a pardon would be among the most high-profile acts of clemency involving a figure in the entertainment industry. It could also spark political controversy as Trump continues to weigh his 2024 presidential bid.
Combs remains in federal custody as legal and political developments continue to unfold.
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