The White House has denied that Donald Trump was considering commuting Diddy’s sentence as the incarcerated rapper announced that he will appeal his sentence.
Legal representatives for Diddy announced Monday that they will appeal on behalf of the music mogul - real name Sean Combs - against his conviction on two charges of transportation for the purposes of prostitution.
Diddy was sentenced to four years and two months in prison, despite being acquitted of more serious charges.
Donald Trump was reportedly considering commuting Diddy’s sentence
It had been reported by TMZ that Trump was considering commuting Diddy’s sentence, which could have seen him released as early as this week.
According to a ‘White House insider’, the president was ‘vacillating’ on whether to let Diddy walk free.
Despite reporting that key White House staffers were against the idea, the source said that ‘Trump will do what he wants’.
Now, the White House has hit out at that report, claiming that there is absolutely nothing behind it.
A spokesperson 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.”
Trump has addressed the Diddy case before
In the past, Donald Trump has said that he likes Diddy, and although he was unlikely to pardon him, he was ‘essentially sort of half innocent’.
Back in August, Trump told Newsmax that it was ‘more likely a no’ on the question of a pardon, but added: “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.”
Trump added: “I was very friendly with him, get along with him great, seemed like a nice guy, didn't know him well.”
Again, when asked about a pardon in May, he said: “I’d look at what's happening...
“He used to really like me a lot.”
Regardless of that, Diddy’s lawyers are planning an appeal, filing a notice with the New York court.
It is not clear what the basis for that appeal will be, and Diddy remains in prison.