The White House has dismissed reports suggesting that President Donald Trump is considering commuting the prison sentence of hip-hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs, who is currently serving a 50-month jail term for prostitution-related charges.
A report by TMZ had claimed that Trump was vacillating on whether to follow up his recent commutation of former U.S. congressman George Santos with a similar gesture for Diddy, 55.
But in a sharp rebuttal, a White House spokesperson described the claims as completely fraudulent.
There is zero truth to the TMZ report, which we would’ve gladly explained had they reached out before running their fake news, Daily Mail reports.
The president, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations.
The former music executive, who was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges but convicted on two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution, has served 13 months of his 50-month sentence at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, Diddy’s legal team has signaled plans to appeal the conviction, filing a two-page notice before the Federal District Court of New York. His attorney, Alexandra Shapiro, argued that the prostitution charges are relics of outdated laws under the Mann Act.
Trump, who has spoken openly about his acquaintance with Diddy, previously told Newsmax that he found the case interesting, saying:
He was essentially, sort of, half innocent. I don’t know what they do that he’s still in jail.
The president, however, added that he was more likely a no on granting clemency, though he has been known to change his mind on high-profile cases.
Diddy’s conviction followed a highly publicised trial that reopened old wounds from his past, including his violent abuse of ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, which was captured on video.
Judge Arun Subramanian, while sentencing the rapper earlier this month, condemned him for his savage behaviour and the irreparable harm caused to victims.
