Why Trump Might Not Pardon Diddy

Donald Trump is thinking twice about pardoning Sean Combs, also known as Diddy. This is not because he doesn't have the power to do so, but because of the possible backlash from his supporters. The idea of pardoning Combs has been discussed for months, but it seems like Trump is not keen on it right now. The reason for this hesitation is the reaction from Trump's base. Sources close to the White House say that pardoning Combs could cause a lot of anger among Trump's supporters. This is similar to the backlash Trump faced earlier this year over the Jeffrey Epstein case. The president, however, has the final say on pardons, and his decision can change at any moment. Combs was sentenced to four years in prison in October 2024 for sex-trafficking and RICO charges. His trial was highly publicized, with many people, including Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Megyn Kelly, speaking out against a pardon. Combs' legal team has been trying to get a pardon since his arrest, but it's not looking good. One of the reasons Trump might have considered pardoning Combs is the involvement of people he doesn't like. The judge in the case, Arun Subramanian, was appointed by Joe Biden. The lead prosecutor, Maurene Comey, is the daughter of James Comey, who Trump is not a fan of. Combs himself appealed to Trump, but it's not clear if that will make a difference. Combs is currently in a shared cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He has requested to be moved to a lower-security prison in New Jersey. The judge has not yet decided on this request, but has recommended that Combs be incarcerated close to New York and be considered for a substance abuse program. The situation is complicated, and it's not clear what will happen next. Trump could still decide to pardon Combs, but for now, it seems like he's more concerned about the reaction from his supporters than helping out an old friend.