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The White House has officially dismissed reports suggesting that President Donald Trump is considering commuting the prison sentence of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently serving a 50-month jail term for prostitution-related offenses.
The speculation originated from a TMZ report, which claimed that Trump was “vacillating” on whether to extend clemency to Diddy, shortly after commuting the sentence of former U.S. congressman George Santos. The report fueled a wave of social media debate, with fans and critics alike weighing in on the possibility of presidential intervention in the high-profile case.
However, a White House spokesperson quickly labeled the claims as false and misleading.
“There is zero truth to the TMZ report, which we would’ve gladly explained had they reached out before running their fake news,” the spokesperson said, according to Daily Mail.
The official added, “The president, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations,” emphasizing that no such discussion regarding Diddy had occurred.
Diddy, 55, had previously faced sex trafficking and racketeering charges but was acquitted on those counts. He was, however, convicted on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution, which led to his current incarceration. He has served 13 months of his sentence at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
His legal team has indicated that they plan to appeal the conviction, filing a formal notice with the Federal District Court of New York. Attorney Alexandra Shapiro argued that the charges rest on outdated laws, specifically citing provisions of the Mann Act, which she claims are no longer suitable for modern legal proceedings.
“The prostitution charges are relics of outdated law and should not be applied in today’s legal framework,” Shapiro stated, asserting that her client’s conviction represents a misapplication of historical legislation.
President Trump, who has publicly acknowledged knowing Diddy, previously shared mixed views on the case during an interview with Newsmax, describing the situation as “interesting.”
“He was essentially, sort of, half innocent. I don’t know what they do that he’s still in jail,” Trump said.
Despite these comments, Trump indicated that he was “more likely a no” when asked about the possibility of granting clemency. Nonetheless, his history with high-profile pardons has shown that last-minute reversals are possible, keeping the public and media alert to any developments.
Diddy’s conviction came after a widely publicized trial that drew renewed attention to controversial incidents from his past, particularly video evidence showing him physically abusing ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The footage sparked widespread outrage and criticism, adding a significant layer of public scrutiny to the legal proceedings.
During sentencing earlier this month, Judge Arun Subramanian condemned Diddy’s actions, describing his behavior as “savage” and emphasizing the “irreparable harm” caused to the victims.
“This case underscores the severe consequences of abusive behavior,” the judge said as he imposed the 50-month prison term, highlighting the seriousness of the offenses.
With the White House firmly denying any possibility of presidential intervention, and Diddy’s legal team actively pursuing an appeal, the situation remains unresolved. The rapper continues to serve his sentence in Brooklyn while his lawyers seek to overturn the conviction.
The case has captured national attention, sparking discussions on celebrity accountability, the relevance of older laws like the Mann Act, and the broader implications of presidential clemency in high-profile legal matters.
As the legal process continues, observers remain focused on both the court proceedings and any potential involvement from the executive branch, although the White House’s statement has made it clear that, at present, there are no plans to commute Diddy’s sentence.
As it stands, the saga continues to unfold, keeping Diddy, his legal team, and the public in suspense as the rapper navigates the appeals process while serving time in federal custody.
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