Megyn Kelly Urges President Donald Trump to Not Pardon Diddy: ‘He Doesn’t Deserve It’
🔊 Update: July 2025
In a sharp rebuke, media personality Megyn Kelly has strongly urged former President Donald Trump to refrain from pardoning music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, arguing that he does not deserve such clemency. Speaking on her YouTube show, Kelly insisted that a pardon would alienate conservative and young female voters, and likened it to mishandling allegations similar to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal .
Kelly referenced Diddy’s political shift—from a past friendly relationship to vocal opposition—and called out Trump directly:
“He used to really like me… then he sort of turned on me… he doesn’t deserve any of Trump’s mercy.”
She warned that granting a pardon would send a message that systemic abuse is tolerated and downplays the victims’ experiences.
⚖️ What’s Happening Now
1. Diddy’s Criminal Verdict & Sentence Timeline
On July 2, 2025, a Manhattan jury acquitted Combs of sex trafficking and racketeering but convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, charges carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years each. He remains in federal custody and is awaiting sentencing on October 3, 2025 .
2. Trump’s Position: Reviewing the Case
At a press briefing on May 30, 2025, Trump stated he had received no formal pardon request but would “look at the facts” if asked. He emphasized he hadn’t tracked the case closely and reiterated that Combs’ past negative comments would not influence him—so long as he believes Combs was mistreated .
3. Reports of Serious Consideration
As of July 30, 2025, multiple outlets report that Trump is now “seriously considering” granting a pardon before Combs’ sentencing in October. However, the White House has not confirmed or denied these reports .
💬 Why Kelly Is Standing Firm
🔍 Political Fallout:
Kelly warned that a pardon would “echo past cover-ups” and hurt Trump’s appeal with young conservative women, a demographic already critical of Trump’s cultural decisions .
⚖️ Justice & Accountability:
Kelly framed the verdict—despite not involving the most serious charges—as a miscarriage of justice to pardon. She emphasized that Combs wrote off his guilt and had documented abuse allegations publicized, including a widely circulated hotel assault video involving ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura .
📌 Current Outlook Summary
| Element | Status as of July 31, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Combs Verdict | Convicted on prostitution charges; acquitted of trafficking & racketeering |
| Sentencing Date | October 3, 2025 |
| Trump’s Position | Review pending; no formal pardon request yet |
| Kelly’s Stance | Strongly opposes pardon; warns of political backlash |
| Media Speculation | Reports say pardon is being seriously considered |
🧠 Why It Matters
- A Cultural Flashpoint: A pardon could inflame debates on accountability for powerful figures accused of violence and abuse.
- Political Risk: Kelly argues it could erode Trump’s credibility with female voters concerned about gender-based justice and elite privilege narratives.
- Precedent in Pardon Use: Trump’s prior clemencies for public figures raise concerns about mixing celebrity status with legal exceptions .
✅ Bottom Line
Megyn Kelly’s message is clear: Don’t pardon Diddy—he doesn’t deserve it, and doing so would carry serious political and moral consequences. With sentencing just months away, Trump is reportedly weighing the decision seriously. For now, the possibility of clemency remains just that—a powerful but unresolved question.
Would you like a deeper look at how high-profile pardons have shaped political narratives—or perspective from other legal experts and public figures about this case?
