Will Trump step in for Diddy: The pardon rumor that’s more likely to bomb than to land

As Donald Trump prepares to reenter the White House, a new wave of pardon speculation is rolling through Washington. But this time, the rumor mill isn't churning out stories about disgraced politicians or celebrity activists—it's about hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. The question on everyone’s mind: Will Trump pardon the Bad Boy Records founder, or has the rift between the two gone too deep? Combs, who was arrested in September 2024 on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The music mogul has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a trial in May 2025, but his legal woes have been a constant headline since his arrest. Despite Combs’ camp maintaining that the allegations are baseless, it’s the whispers of a Trump pardon that have people talking. Could the future president come to the rescue? Or will this be a case of "no love lost" between two once-friendly figures? “Trump’s Not Exactly Team Diddy” Enter Gene Deal. The former bodyguard who worked for Combs during the Puff Daddy era in the 1990s is certainly not buying into the pardon buzz. Deal recently appeared on The Art of Dialogue, an interview series dedicated to hip-hop culture, and tossed cold water on the idea of Trump coming to Diddy’s aid. “Diddy wasn’t even good with Trump like that anymore,” Deal said, referring to the declining relationship between the two men over the years. “He was going against him. Trump’s as petty as 50 Cent. You don’t think Trump’s gonna remember that?” And in Deal’s mind, this feud isn’t one of those “let bygones be bygones” situations. “Trump’s probably not gonna lift a finger to help him,” he added, “Why would he? This guy’s been talking sh** about him for years.” Trump, known for holding grudges longer than a season of The Real Housewives, isn’t likely to suddenly have a change of heart. Deal’s assessment? No pardon in sight. A Friendship That Turned Sour Trump and Combs have crossed paths many times in the past. Back in the day, they were photographed together at various events, and the New York Post reported that Trump was even featured on the guest list for Combs’ 29th birthday party in 1998. In 2012, during an episode of The Celebrity Apprentice, Trump described Diddy as "a good friend of mine" and praised him for his hard work. But, like many Hollywood bromances, their friendship eventually soured. As Trump entered the political arena, Combs’ public comments about him took a sharp turn. In 2017, he dismissed Trump’s influence, arguing that, for the Black community, Trump’s antics were nothing more than “regular everyday business.” By 2020, Combs had fully turned on Trump, even endorsing Joe Biden for president and calling for the “banishment” of Trump's way of thinking. Combs’ transformation from Trump’s buddy to his vocal critic seems to have sealed any chance of a political alliance, especially with Trump’s unyielding desire to hold onto grudges like a pit bull with a bone. The Pardon Playbook Trump’s track record of pardoning celebrities is well known. In his first term, he commuted the sentence of rapper Kodak Black and granted a pardon to Lil Wayne, both of whom had publicly backed him. But for Trump, political loyalty goes a long way—something Combs has never really provided. Given Combs' history of openly criticizing Trump, it’s safe to say that the chance of him being swept under the presidential rug for a pardon is slim. Deal’s blunt assessment reflects the reality: “He’s not gonna help him. Not at all.” A Complex Relationship: The Pardon That Wasn’t If Combs ever had a shot at a presidential pardon, it would’ve been in the early days when Trump was still handing out clemency like candy. But with the dynamic between the two men having gone from friendly to frosty, it’s hard to see Trump stepping in. After all, he has a history of ignoring those who don’t sing his praises. At this point, the only pardon Combs is likely to receive is from his legal team, as they prep for a courtroom showdown in 2025. Trump may be quick to grant pardons, but when it comes to Diddy, it seems that the only thing Combs will be getting from the Trump administration is the cold shoulder.