Fact Check: Is Trump considering a pardon for Diddy as part of America's 250th anniversary?

WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor circulating widely online claims that President Donald Trump is privately considering a pardon for Sean 'Diddy' Combs. 

The speculation comes as Trump reportedly weighs a broader round of clemency that could include as many as 250 pardons over the July 4 holiday weekend. But is the claim true? Let's fact-check it.

Claim: Trump is considering a pardon for Diddy as part of the July 4 celebrations

Although the origin of the rumor remains unclear, an X user shared an old photo of Trump and Sean 'Diddy' Combs smiling together alongside Combs' recent mugshot.

The post claimed, "President Trump is considering a pardon for Diddy ahead of a new round of pardons, which could include several other famous people."

The claim gained traction as Trump reportedly considered a broader round of clemency.

Combs is serving a 50-month federal prison sentence at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security federal correctional institution in New Jersey. The renewed speculation also echoed discussions from 2025, when Trump publicly addressed the possibility of a pardon. 

Trump, who socialized with Combs before entering politics, said their relationship changed after he entered public office. “I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great, and seemed like a nice guy,” Trump told Newsmax in 2025. “I didn’t know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”

Fact Check: The claim is unconfirmed

Several news reports indicate that White House sources say President Donald Trump has discussed the possibility of granting clemency to Sean 'Diddy' Combs as part of an upcoming round of pardons. However, no final decision has been made, and the discussions are reportedly ongoing.

The claim gained widespread attention after reports highlighted Trump's previous comments on the matter.

In October 2025, Trump said Combs had requested a pardon and that he would "take a look at it" and "speak to the Justice Department" about the request, adding that he still referred to the rapper as "Puff Daddy."

However, in a January interview with The New York Times, Trump said Combs had formally requested a pardon but stated that he was not considering granting it.

It remains unclear whether Trump will ultimately pardon Combs. According to CBS News, although the president has discussed the possibility of clemency, his pardon team has not included Combs among the recommendations submitted for the upcoming round of pardons.

If Trump does not grant Combs a pardon, he is expected to complete his sentence in February 2028.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Trump's proposed "250 pardons for 250 years" initiative remains under consideration, and it remains unclear how many clemency grants, if any, he will ultimately issue in the coming days.