Washington's top office has flat‑out rejected rumors that President Donald Trump was weighing a commutation for the music mogul Diddy, even as the star announced plans to appeal his conviction.
On Monday (October 20), Diddy's legal team confirmed they'll be challenging the two‑count transportation‑for‑prostitution verdict that found Sean Combs guilty. The announcement continues the high‑profile saga as it keeps dominating headlines and starkly highlights the clash between celebrity and the justice system.
Sean "Diddy" Combs was handed a prison term even after the jury cleared him of the charges, reigniting the debate over whether the President might step in. Rumors had been circulating earlier this week after TMZ reported that President Donald Trump is weighing a commutation that could see Combs out of lockup early. As per the report, a purported White House insider said that Trump is wavering on the idea while several senior staffers are pushing back.
Now VT has reported that a spokesperson has said:
"There is zero truth to the TMZ report, which we would've gladly explained had they reached out before running their fake news... The President, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations."
The White House has since dismissed the story, stressing there's "zero truth" to the claims and reiterating that only the President makes the call, on pardons and commutations. Over the year, Trump has publicly called Diddy "sort of half‑innocent," noted their friendly rapport, and repeatedly suggested that a pardon is unlikely.
Amid this backdrop, Diddy's lawyers have filed a notice of appeal in New York. The exact reasons for contesting the sentence remain hazy, keeping the music mogul behind bars as the legal process unfolds.
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TOPICS: Donald Trump, Sean "Diddy" Combs