WASHINGTON −President Donald Trumptold reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Oct. 6, thatSean "Diddy" Combshasrequested a pardonas he's set to serve several more years behind bars. "A lot of people have asked me for pardons," Trump said. "I call him Puff Daddy; he has asked me for a pardon." USA TODAY has reached out to Combs' representative for comment. U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramaniansentenced Combsto 50 months in prison on Friday, Oct. 3, after the embattled hip-hop mogul wasconvicted in his federal sex-crimes case. Combs could be releasedin less than three years after receiving credit for the time he has already spent locked up at theMetropolitan Detention Centerin Brooklyn, where he's been held in custody since his September 2024 arrest. Janice Combs, mother of Sean "Diddy" Combs, arrives at court in New York Cityfor the sentencing hearing for Sean "Diddy" Combs, after the music mogul was convicted on charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian is expected to issue a ruling on Combs' prison sentence on Oct. 3, 2025, in Manhattan court after attorneys for the disgraced hip-hop mogul and United States prosecutors weigh in on the time he should serve. This wasn't the first time Trump addressed where he stands with the music mogul. Inan interviewthat aired Aug. 1 on Newsmax with host Rob Finnerty, Trump discussedthe possibility of a presidential pardon for Combs. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs, would you consider pardoning him?" Finnerty asked. Trump said "probably..." before pausing and revealing to Finnerty, "You know, I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great; (he) seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well, but when I ran for office he was very hostile." The Newsmax host noted then that "he said some not so nice things about you, sir." "Yeah, and it's hard. You know, like you, we're human beings and we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right?" Trump said. "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." On Monday, Trump was initially asked about a potential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, an aide to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein who was convicted of sex trafficking charges.The Supreme Court refused Oct. 6 to hear her appeal. "I'll take a look at it," said Trump, who added that he hadn't heard her name in a while. "I will speak to the Justice Department," he said. The Grammy-winning rapper and producer wasarrested in September 2024. In July, hewas found guiltyon two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. His conviction centers on the transportation of ex-R&B star Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine and a woman identified as "Jane," as well as sex workers, for the intent of prostitution. Ventura Fine and Jane both testified during the trial that Combsphysically abused and controlled themand had them participate in marathon drug-fueled sexual encounters with male escorts. Those sessions, dubbed "freak offs," often involved travel across state and even international boundaries. Addressing the judge before his Oct. 3 sentencing, Combs addressed his former partners' detailed testimony. "I want to personally apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I caused to her, emotionally or physically. My actions were disgusting, shameful and sick," Combs said. Combs also apologized to Jane. "I didn't mean to hurt you," he said. Contributing: USA TODAY Staff This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy asked Trump for a pardon, the president says
