Sean “Diddy” Combs has formally asked Donald Trump for a presidential pardon, but the president has ruled it out.
According to an exclusive report by The New York Times, published on January 8, Trump confirmed that Combs submitted the request in writing. He said he has no intention of granting clemency.
Trump told the newspaper that Combs “asked me for a pardon” and added that the appeal arrived “through a letter.” When questioned further, Trump responded jokingly, asking if the outlet wanted to see the letter.
The 56-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records was convicted in July on two federal prostitution-related charges. A New York court sentenced him in October to 50 months in prison after a high-profile trial. While jurors acquitted Combs of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, they found him guilty of transporting individuals for prostitution.
It looks like Diddy's going to have to suck it up and serve out his prison sentence … because President Trump says he's not considering a pardon.
Read more: https://t.co/b9GEoIwYJi pic.twitter.com/QxEAGtkxuT
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 9, 2026Speculation about a possible pardon began during last summer’s trial. In a May 2025 briefing, Trump said he would “look at the facts” if asked to consider clemency and suggested that personal feelings would not guide his decision.
Trump also acknowledged that he once had a cordial relationship with Combs but said it soured after he entered politics. He noted that Combs’s public criticism made any consideration of a pardon more difficult.
Combs is expected to serve about three years in custody after credit for time served. His projected release date is May 25, 2028.
