Is Diddy Getting Out Soon? White House Says No

The White House has shot down rumors that President Trump might let Sean "Diddy" Combs out of prison early. Combs, 55, is currently serving a 50-month sentence for two charges related to transporting people for prostitution. A source close to the White House told TMZ that Trump is thinking about it, but staffers are advising against it. The source said Trump will likely do what he wants in the end. However, the White House spokesperson called the report fake news and said the president makes the final call on pardons and commutations. Combs was found not guilty of more serious charges like sex trafficking and racketeering, which might have led to a longer sentence. Trump has said in the past that he probably wouldn't pardon Combs, but he also said Combs is "sort of, half innocent" because of the acquittals. Trump and Combs have a history. They both come from New York and became famous there. Trump said he used to get along with Combs, but their relationship changed when Trump got into politics. Combs endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and said a Trump win would lead to a race war. Meanwhile, Combs' lawyers are planning to appeal his conviction. They argue that the charges against him are outdated and rarely used today. The appeal process will start with a three-judge panel from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Combs has already served 13 months of his sentence. He is currently in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. A federal prison consultant said that because of a government shutdown, Combs might be there longer than usual before being transferred to a federal prison. At his sentencing, the judge condemned Combs for abusing his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman. The judge said Combs caused "irreparable harm" to his victims. Ventura's lawyer said her civil complaint led to the criminal investigation against Combs. Prosecutors wanted Combs to serve over 11 years in prison, but his lawyers asked for only 14 months. The judge settled on 50 months, minus the time Combs has already served. Combs' legal team has requested that he serve his time at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in New Jersey.