The White House has strongly criticized a recent report suggesting that Donald Trump might soon grant early release to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. This speculation comes amid Combs serving a 50-month prison sentence for two charges related to transportation for the purposes of prostitution.

The report, initially covered by TMZ, cites a so-called “White House insider” claiming that Trump is wavering on the decision to follow his recent commutation of former Congressman George Santos with a similar move for Combs. The insider indicated that despite ongoing advice from White House staff to avoid such a decision, Trump is known for ultimately following his own inclinations.

In response to these claims, a White House spokesperson contacted by the Daily Mail firmly dismissed the report, labeling it as entirely false. The spokesperson’s statement underscores the administration’s position against the circulating rumors, highlighting the speculative nature of the information.

While White House staff are advising against the move, the source said that ultimately: ‘Trump will do what he wants.’

When reached for comment, a White House spokesperson told the Daily Mail the report was 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.’ 

‘The president, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations.’ 

Combs – who avoided an even longer sentence when he was acquitted of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges – could be free at some point this week. 

Donald Trump is considering commuting Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ prison sentence as soon as this week, a White House insider claimed

Trump is ‘vacillating’ on whether or not to follow up his weekend commutation of former Congressman George Santos with Combs

Trump has previously suggested he would probably not pardon him but added that Combs’ acquittal on numerous sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges meant he was ‘essentially, sort of, half innocent’.

Speaking to Newsmax in August, Trump ultimately said it was ‘more likely a no’ but noted the interesting situation the rapper had found himself in. 

‘Well he was essentially, sort of, half-innocent. I don’t know what they do that he’s still in jail or something. He was celebrating a victory but I guess it wasn’t as good a victory,’ he said.

The president then detailed his past relationship with Combs, as both are native New Yorkers who became famous. 

‘I was very friendly with him, get along with him great, seemed like a nice guy, didn’t know him well,’ he said.

In May, Trump said he’d consider it, telling the press: ‘I’d look at what’s happening… He used to really like me a lot.’ 

That started to take a turn when Trump moved toward politics. While Combs was largely agnostic in the 2016 race, he endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and said if Trump won there would be a race war. 

The news comes the same day Combs attorneys signaled that they plan to appeal his conviction.  

Trump has previously suggested he would probably not pardon him but added that Combs’ acquittal on numerous sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges meant he was ‘essentially, sort of, half innocent’

The president has spoken of his past relationship with Combs, as both are native New Yorkers who became famous

The rapper and mogul has already been credited with serving 13 months of his sentence. 

But In a two-page notice for the Federal District Court of New York that was filed by his attorney, Alexandra Shapiro, she signaled their plan to appeal, but they didn’t lay out the legal rationale behind the appeal, according to documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

However, in previous filings, the rapper’s legal team claimed that his conviction shouldn’t stand because the two prostitution charges did not apply to his conduct, as they are allegedly relics of the Mann Act that are now rarely used. 

More detailed filings laying out Diddy’s reasoning behind his appeal are likely to be submitted in upcoming weeks.

Diddy’s appeal would initially be heard by a three-judge panel from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Diddy was still listed as being jailed at the Metropolitan Detention Center as of Monday afternoon, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

Federal prison consultant Sam Mangel told the Daily Mail that defendants typically wait 45 to 60 days to be transferred to a federal prison to start their sentence. 

However, because of the federal shut down, Diddy could be waiting in Brooklyn MDC longer than usual, Mangel said. 

Trump announced George Santos would be set free late last week

Trump and Combs seen together and 1998. The two native New Yorkers were acquainted during the peak of Combs’ fame

On October 3, Judge Arun Subramanian sentenced Diddy to 50 months in prison after his conviction on the two prostitution charges, but he has been credited with the year he already spent in jail at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center ahead of and during his trial. 

His legal team had argued for a far more lenient sentence of just 14 months in prison.

When the 12 months he had already spent in jail were subtracted from the total, Diddy would have only served an additional two months in prison under his preferred sentencing terms. 

By contrast, prosecutor’s had requested a sentence of at least 11 years and three months in prison. 

Following the conclusion of his highly anticipated trial and sentencing, his legal team has requested that he serve his time at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in Fort Dix, New Jersey, the Daily Mail can confirm.

Subramanian condemned Combs for his ‘savage’ abuse of ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and a Jane Doe who testified, saying he was making an example of him because he caused ‘irreparable harm’ to his victims. 

Ventura’s attorney, Douglar Wigdor, told the Daily Mail that the entire trial was thanks to the singer’s ‘courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023’, which triggered the criminal investigation into Combs. 

‘Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution,’ he said. 

‘By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. 

‘She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. 

‘This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.’ 

Diddy was not actually convicted of any offense against Ventura, but was famously filmed beating her up, with his acknowledgement of her abuse likely to provide some solace for the abused model.