Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has formally requested release on a $50 million bond while awaiting sentencing in October, following his conviction on two counts of transportation for the purpose of prostitution. The hip-hop mogul was acquitted of more serious charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, earlier this month after pleading not guilty to all five charges.
Combs, who has been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest last September, is seeking bail amid concerns over unsafe conditions in the facility. In a court filing submitted July 29, his attorney Marc Agnifilo argued that Combs’ continued detention is unwarranted, noting that others convicted of similar offenses are typically released ahead of sentencing.
“Sean Combs should not be in jail for this conduct,” Agnifilo stated. “He may be the only person in the US currently jailed for being any kind of John—and certainly the only one imprisoned for hiring adult male escorts for himself and his girlfriend.”
Federal prosecutors, however, maintain that Combs poses a flight risk and oppose granting bail.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around a potential presidential pardon. According to Deadline, former President Donald Trump is “seriously considering” issuing a pardon for Combs before sentencing. While Combs’ legal team declined to comment on any clemency discussions, a White House official noted they could “neither confirm nor deny” the existence of such a request.
Trump previously acknowledged the possibility of a pardon, stating he would “certainly look at the facts” and that personal feelings wouldn’t influence his decision. “Whether they like me or don’t like me, that wouldn’t matter,” he said at the time.
The relationship between the two public figures has shifted over the years—from mutual praise to public distance after Trump entered politics. “He used to really like me,” Trump reflected, “but when I ran for office, things changed.”
If denied bail, Combs faces a maximum sentence of 20 years. However, as a first-time offender, his punishment could be significantly reduced.