President Donald Trump previously called Sean “Diddy” Combs “sort of half-innocent,” comments that have resurfaced as Combs is set to serve prison time for federal convictions

17:31 ET, 03 Oct 2025Updated 18:41 ET, 03 Oct 2025

View 3 ImagesDiddy and Trump were friends

President Donald Trump’s remarks about music mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs have resurfaced as Diddy prepares to serve a 50-month prison sentence, which was given on October 3.

In a July trial, Diddy was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, while he was acquitted of more serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Trump spoke about Diddy during an interview on July 2 with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, calling the mogul “sort of half-innocent.”

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“He was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent,” Trump said. “He was celebrating a victory, but I guess it wasn’t as good of a victory.” The comments drew attention at the time because Trump had publicly socialized with Combs and exchanged declarations of friendship before he was ever president.

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Trump has previously pardoned political supporters, even individuals with high-profile convictions, which added speculation to discussions about a potential pardon for Diddy.

View 3 ImagesSean Combs with Donald Trump and Melania Trump

However, past statements by Diddy about Trump from 2017 resurfaced. Diddy told the Daily Beast at the time that he did not “really give a f--- about Trump.”

After Trump’s first term ended in 2020, Diddy told radio host Charlamagne tha God that “white men like Trump need to be banished” and said, “The number one priority is to get Trump out of office.”

Trump referenced these comments in his Newsmax interview, noting that they made the possibility of pardoning Diddy more difficult.

“When I ran for office, he was very hostile,” Trump said. “It’s hard, you know? We’re human beings. And we don’t like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements. So I don’t know, it makes it more difficult to do.”

As of today, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian imposed a 50-month prison sentence, a $500,000 fine, the maximum allowed under the law, and five years of supervised release.

View 3 ImagesDiddy was sentenced to 4+ years in prison(Image: Getty Images for Sean "Diddy" Combs)

Diddy has already served 12 months in custody, which will be credited toward his sentence.

At the sentencing hearing, Diddy tearfully apologized to his victims, including ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman identified as “Jane,” who testified about his drug-fueled sex activities.

He expressed remorse to his family, acknowledging his past actions and referencing a video showing him assaulting Ventura.

Despite his emotional appeal and his claim of being “sick” from drug use at the time, Judge Subramanian emphasized concerns that Combs would not refrain from criminal behavior if released.

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Prosecutors had initially sought an 11-year sentence, citing Diddy’s history of domestic violence.

His defense team requested a 14-month sentence, highlighting his time already served and efforts at rehabilitation, including substance abuse recovery and running a jail education program.