White House Pushes Back on Reports of Trump Considering Sentence Break for Sean “Diddy” Combs

The White House is making it clear: reports that President Donald Trump is weighing a commutation for music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs are “completely false.”

After TMZ published a story Monday claiming that the President was “vacillating” over whether to reduce Combs’ 50-month prison sentence, the administration quickly responded, firmly denying the claim.

“ There is zero truth to the TMZ report, which we would’ve gladly explained had they reached out before running their fake news,” a White House official told Entertainment Weekly. “The President, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations.”

TMZ has since updated its story to include the administration’s statement, but the outlet stood by its reporting, saying, “We stand by our story. Our story is accurate.”

Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, was sentenced on October 3 to just over four years in federal prison following his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was also fined $500,000 and will face five years of supervised release upon completion of his sentence.

Combs’ Legal Troubles

The music mogul’s legal troubles have made headlines for months, with more than 70 lawsuits filed against him since November 2023 alleging sexual assault, sex trafficking, and other serious crimes. Combs has consistently denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty in his high-profile New York trial.

Trump’s Past Comments

When asked earlier this year about possibly pardoning Combs, President Trump acknowledged his past acquaintance with the artist but hinted that such an act was unlikely. “I was friendly with him — got along with him great, seemed like a nice guy,” Trump said in an August interview with Newsmax. “But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. So I’d say it’s more difficult.”

Previous Clemency Decisions

Trump has previously granted clemency to several public figures, including rappers Kodak Black and Lil Wayne, and reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley, asserting that “celebrity status should not determine justice.”

White House Response

For now, however, the White House insists the current buzz around Combs’ case is nothing but rumor. “No discussions are underway about a commutation or pardon for Mr. Combs,” a senior administration official reiterated Tuesday. “The President’s focus remains on the priorities of the American people — not tabloid speculation.”