WASHINGTON — The White House has dismissed as “completely false” a report by entertainment outlet TMZ claiming that President Donald Trump is considering granting a pardon to jailed music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The sharp rebuke came after TMZ alleged that Trump was “vacillating” on whether to extend clemency to Diddy, who is currently serving a 50-month federal sentence on prostitution-related charges.
“There is zero truth to the TMZ report,” a White House official told NBC News, adding that the publication failed to seek comment before publishing what they described as “fake news.” The official further emphasised that “the president — not anonymous sources — makes the final decision on pardons and commutations.”
Diddy, 55, was convicted in July on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, which could have carried a life sentence. He is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn while his legal team pursues an appeal to overturn the verdict.
Federal prosecutors accused the hip-hop mogul of operating a criminal enterprise under the guise of his entertainment ventures, including Bad Boy Entertainment, which was alleged to have been used to facilitate illicit activities. The charges marked a dramatic fall from grace for one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, whose label launched the careers of icons such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, and Faith Evans.
Despite the White House’s denial, TMZ has stood by its reporting. “We stand by our story,” said Casey Carver, a spokesperson for the outlet.
Diddy’s empire, which expanded into fashion and spirits through his Sean John clothing line and various liquor brands, once positioned him among the wealthiest and most powerful figures in music and business. His conviction, however, has sparked widespread debate about celebrity accountability and the use of presidential clemency.
Presidential pardons can erase federal convictions entirely, while commutations simply reduce the length of a sentence. With time already served, Diddy could be eligible for release in just under three years — unless his appeal succeeds or the president decides otherwise.
