From Lil Wayne to the Chrisleys, President Donald Trump has pardoned celebrities across both presidential terms.
Now, he is being questioned about the possibility of pardoning two other high-profile people: embattled music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jeffrey Epstein’s former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell, serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking a minor to Epstein for sexual abuse, has asked the president to grant her clemency in exchange for her testimony to Congress. The Trump administration has been caught up in controversy over the case for weeks as his supporters seek more transparency about Epstein’s criminal case files.
Combs was acquitted on July 2 of the most serious of charges in his recent sex-crimes trial, but he was convicted on two minor counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
What has Trump said about pardoning them?
Deadline and TMZ reported earlier this week, citing anonymous sources, that Trump is considering a pardon for Combs.
When asked about the possibility on May 30, Trump said, “nobody’s asked,” about a pardon.
“But I know people are thinking about it. I know they’re thinking about it. I think some people have been very close to asking.” Trump added, “I haven’t spoken to him in years. He really liked me a lot.”
USA TODAY previously reached out to Combs’ team for comment. The White House did not comment on the possibility.
Trump has not ruled out a pardon for Maxwell.
Speaking to reporters in Scotland on July 28, Trump addressed the possibility.
“Well, I’m allowed to give her a pardon, but nobody’s approached me with it. Nobody’s asked me about it,” Trump said. “It’s in the news about that, that aspect of it, but right now, it would be inappropriate to talk about it.”
Maxwell’s defense lawyer David Markus wrote a letter laying out Maxwell’s conditions to testify publicly on Epstein. Those included immunity and an advanced look at the questions she would be asked. But in lieu of those, “she would be willing — and eager — to testify openly and honestly, in public, before Congress in Washington, D.C.,” if she received clemency, the letter stated.
Trump has a history of pardoning celebrities, including:
Contributing: Jay Stahl, Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.
Will Trump pardon Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell? He has pardoned these celebrities – USA Today
