--- title: Will Diddy Be the Next Celebrity Pardoned by Trump? description: Combs is currently on trial in New York for alleged sex trafficking and other crimes. canonical: https://time.com/7290156/diddy-next-celebrity-trump-pardon/ author: Nik Popli article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2025-05-30T20:40:46.000Z article:modified_time: 2025-05-30T21:12:49.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: Will Diddy Be the Next Celebrity Pardoned by Trump? og:description: He's not ruling it out. Combs is currently on trial in New York for alleged sex trafficking and other crimes. og:url: https://time.com/7290156/diddy-next-celebrity-trump-pardon/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt06b9919634ea38a0/6998c71183ec37508bc7aa1e/GettyImages-2217854111.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1024 og:image:height: 576 og:image:alt: President Trump Holds Press Conference With Elon Musk in White House's Oval Office og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Will Diddy Be the Next Celebrity Pardoned by Trump? twitter:description: He's not ruling it out. Combs is currently on trial in New York for alleged sex trafficking and other crimes. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt06b9919634ea38a0/6998c71183ec37508bc7aa1e/GettyImages-2217854111.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Will Sean 'Diddy' Combs Be the Next Celebrity Pardoned by Trump? > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME D.C. Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition D.C. Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington. D.C. Brief goes beyond the Washington headlines to explain the politics, personalities and power dynamics shaping what happens next. 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It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ## Video: Trump Gives Elon Musk Ceremonial Key in Oval Office Send-off [Watch (HLS stream): Trump Gives Elon Musk Ceremonial Key in Oval Office Send-off](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/mQqfowjn.m3u8) (3:32)  _Published 2025-05-30. President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday, providing a cordial conclusion to a tumultuous tenure for the billionaire entrepreneur. Musk is leaving his position spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency, and he'll be rededicating himself to running his businesses, including electric automaker Tesla, rocket company SpaceX and social media platform X._  by [Nik Popli](https://time.com/author/nik-popli/)  ## Nik Popli Staff Writer Updated: May 30, 2025 9:12 PM UTCPublished: May 30, 2025 8:40 PM UTC  President Donald Trump, joined by Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on May 30, 2025. President Donald Trump, joined by Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on May 30, 2025. Kevin Dietsch—Getty Images  by [Nik Popli](https://time.com/author/nik-popli/)  ## Nik Popli Staff Writer Updated: May 30, 2025 9:12 PM UTCPublished: May 30, 2025 8:40 PM UTC President Donald Trump said Friday he would look into a possible pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul who is currently on trial in New York for alleged sex trafficking and other crimes. The shocking comment from Trump came during a news conference when asked if he would consider pardoning him. “Nobody’s asked. But I know people are thinking about it,” Trump said. “I think some people have been very close to asking.” Combs was [arrested](https://time.com/7022047/sean-diddy-combs-sex-trafficking-charges/) in September over accusations of racketeering, and drugging and coercing women into sexual relations with him and others. If convicted, he could face life in prison. The federal investigation into Combs was spurred in part by a 2023 civil lawsuit filed by Combs’ ex-partner Cassie Ventura, in which she alleged he had engaged in physical abuse and rape. While the case was [settled](https://time.com/6336583/sean-combs-cassie-rape-abuse-lawsuit/) shortly thereafter, numerous other victims filed lawsuits against Combs for similar sexual assault allegations in the following months. Combs had initially denied Ventura’s allegations. Then in May 2024, [CNN released CCTV footage](https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/17/entertainment/video/sean-diddy-combs-cassie-venture-surveillance-digvid) from a Los Angeles hotel hallway where Combs was seen punching and kicking Ventura in 2016\. Combs released a video statement on Instagram [saying his behavior](https://time.com/6979840/diddy-sean-combs-admits-assaulting-cassie-video-apology/) was “inexcusable.” His defense team has admitted that he was violent toward Ventura, but contends that he is not guilty of the charges he is currently facing in the trial. Combs has previously denied sexually assaulting anyone. Trump said that he hasn’t been watching the trial, which began in early May, but noted that “it’s certainly getting a lot of coverage." The President added that he hasn’t seen or spoken to Combs in years, but that the two New Yorkers had crossed paths before. “He used to really like me a lot,” Trump said of their relationship. “I think when I ran for politics…that relationship busted up, from what I read. I don’t know—he didn’t tell me that, but I’d read some little bit nasty statements.” Trump and Diddy were together at the 2005 Art for Life Gala honoring Diddy at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. They were also both photographed, along with First Lady Melania Trump, at a United Nations event in 2008\. “I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me.”  From left, Sean Combs, Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend a UNICEF fundraiser at the United Nations on Feb. 6, 2008 in New York City. JOE SCHILDHORN—Patrick McMullan via Getty Images Pardoning Combs if he’s found guilty would be a highly controversial move, given the sexual assault allegations and public attention surrounding the case. But Trump has already pardoned a number of celebrities—both in his first term and his second term. This month, his pardons included reality TV stars [Todd and Julie Chrisley](https://time.com/7289241/todd-julie-chrisley-trump-pardon/) and rapper NBA YoungBoy. He has also issued a blanket [pardon for everyone who participated in the Jan. 6 riot](https://time.com/7260570/cpac-trump-pardon-jan-6/). ## Transcript Today. It's about a man named Elon, and he's one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced. He stepped forward to put his very great talents into the service of our nation, and we appreciate it. And I just want to say that Elon has worked tirelessly helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations. And, you know, the kinds of things that he's, uh, he's found and his people have found. He's brought a group of very smart people in, and they found things that are pretty unbelievable. And I gave him a little special something we have here, a very special that I give to very special people. I have given it to some, but it goes to very special people. And I thought I'd, I'd give it to Elon as a presentation from our country. Thank you. Thank you. Ellen. Thank you. Take care of you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Well, let me say a few words. Um, that this is not the end of Doge, but really the beginning. Um, my time as a special government employee necessarily had to end. It was a limited time thing. It's 134 days, I believe, which ends in a few days. So, uh, so that, uh, you know, it comes with a time limit. Um, and, uh, but the Doge team will only grow stronger over time. Um, the doge influence will only grow stronger. It's, uh, I liken it to sort of Buddhism. It's like a way of life. Um, so it is permeating throughout the government, and I'm confident that over time, we'll see $1 trillion of savings, uh, and reduction in $1 trillion of waste and fraud reduction. And I'll be and I'll continue to, to to be visiting here and be a friend and advisor to the president. And I look forward to, you know, times being back in this amazing room. There is a New York Times report today that accuses you of blurring the line between. It's the new New York Times. Is that the same publication? Uh, that, uh, got a Pulitzer Prize for, uh, false reporting on on the Russiagate? Uh, is it the same organization? I think it is. I think it. Is. It is. I think that I think the judge just ruled against New York Times for their lies about the Russiagate hoax, and that they might have to give back that Pulitzer Prize, that New York Times. Let's move on. Okay. Next question. So do you expect to continue advising the president and Doge informally, or are you going to sort of shift your focus entirely to your companies? Well, I expect to continue to provide advice whenever the president would like advice. I hope. So. I mean, I'm yeah, it's I expect to remain a friend and an advisor. And certainly if there's anything the president wants me to do, I'm at at the president's service. What is your eye? Okay. What happened to your eye? Notice there's a bruise there. Well, it wasn't I wasn't anywhere near France. So, um. But, uh. What does that mean? No. I didn't notice his eyes. First lady of France. I didn't notice. So, uh. Yeah. No, I was just walking around with little X, and I said, uh, go ahead, punch me in the face. And he did. Turns out even a five year old punched me in the in the face. Actually. That was exited. Yeah, X could do it if you knew X. He. Could his mom right. Now. But I didn't. I didn't really feel much at the time. And then I guess it raises up, but I was just horsing around. 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