Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was convicted of two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.
His legal team has contacted Donald Trump’s office to request a presidential pardon.
Trump said Combs had been “very hostile” toward him, suggesting a pardon is unlikely.
Combs’ sentencing is set for October 3; he remains in custody after being denied bail.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is pursuing a presidential pardon from Donald Trump after being convicted of transporting individuals across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. The 55-year-old music mogul is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits sentencing in October, where he faces a maximum of 20 years behind bars.
The conviction has triggered a wave of legal and political developments, with Combs’ legal team confirming they’ve already approached Trump’s office in hopes of clemency. But with Trump publicly expressing doubts about granting the pardon, Combs' chances appear uncertain.
Sean Combs’ legal team has contacted Trump for a potential pardon Getty Images
Why is Sean Combs seeking a pardon from Donald Trump?
Combs’ lawyers confirmed this week that they have reached out to Trump’s team to request a pardon, a legal provision that would wipe the conviction and potentially secure his early release. Nicole Westmoreland, a member of his defence team, told CNN, “It’s my understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon.”
Combs was found guilty in July on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution, a federal offence carrying up to 10 years per count. Though he was cleared of more serious charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, the conviction alone is enough to threaten his reputation and legacy.
Diddy trial recap as jury reviews Cassie testimony and flags juror concern Getty Images
What did Trump say about the pardon request?
In a televised interview with Newsmax, Trump confirmed that he had been approached about Combs’ case but seemed hesitant to intervene. “I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile,” Trump said. When asked directly if that meant he was unlikely to issue a pardon, he replied, “I would say so.”
Trump's past pardon decisions, such as those related to the Capitol riot, suggest he is willing to use his clemency powers in high-profile cases, but personal politics often play a role. Combs had previously called Trump “dangerous” and publicly criticised his leadership, which could weigh heavily against him now.
Donald Trump suggested the rapper's past hostility may affect his clemency decisionGetty Images
What are the legal and political implications?
While seeking a presidential pardon is not uncommon for high-profile convicts, the political climate complicates matters in this case. Combs’ outspoken criticism of Trump during the 2020 election, where he urged voters to “banish” the former president, could now be working against him.
Adding to the pressure, Combs has described the conditions at his detention facility as “inhumane.” His legal team recently filed a complaint describing expired food and poor sanitation, requesting his release on a £39 million (₹4,12,00,00,000) bond, an appeal that was rejected.
Judge Arun Subramanian, who presided over the trial, denied bail citing Combs' past history of violence towards former partners and stating he posed a risk to the public.
Brian Steel, attorney for Sean "Diddy" Combs, gives a brief statement next to lawyers Teny Geragos and Marc Agnifilo at Manhattan Federal Court after Comb's bail hearing following his sex trafficking and racketeering trial on July 02, 2025Getty Images
What happens next in the Sean Combs case?
Combs is due to be sentenced on October 3. His legal team is expected to continue pressing for both clemency and possible appeals. Although presidential pardons are typically only granted after sentencing or appeals are exhausted, high-profile figures sometimes make early requests to draw public and political attention to their cases.
For now, it remains unclear whether Trump will reverse his position. While he acknowledged his past acquaintance with Combs, he emphasised that the rapper's later opposition could influence the outcome.
Sean "Puffy" Combs arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court February 28, 2001 Getty Images
Meanwhile, Combs faces several civil lawsuits from individuals who testified during the trial, suggesting the legal troubles surrounding the hip-hop mogul are far from over.
Perry's onstage quip about "Englishmen" felt like a deliberate signal.
Those yacht photos are, frankly, undeniable.
It started with a Montreal dinner most people missed.
Both are out of long-term relationships.
Well, she’s as good as confirmed it, hasn’t she? Katy Perry just tossed a verbal grenade into her London concert, and the pieces all point to Justin Trudeau. That line about Englishmen? You do not say that by accident. It lands just days after those, let's face it, pretty steamy pictures of them surfaced on her boat. This Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau thing is suddenly feeling very real, shifting from rumours to a full-blown celebrity romance.
Katy Perry’s stage moment sparks worldwide fan theories about a secret romance Getty Images
So what did she actually say?
Mid-show at the O2, looking out at the crowd, she hits them with this: "London, England, you’re like this on a Monday night?... No wonder I fall for Englishmen all the time."
Pause.
Then came the kicker: "...but not anymore." The place erupts. It was too specific, too perfectly timed. And then, almost as if scripted, some fan proposes to her. Her comeback was: "I wish you’d asked me 48 hours ago." What is that, if not a nod to a new, serious someone?
Let’s talk about the yacht. The Daily Mail got those shots and, while grainy, the story they tell is crystal clear. The photos were taken off the coast of Santa Barbara, on her 78-foot Caravelle. He is pulling her in, kissing her cheek. His hand was on her backside in another frame. This follows that low-key Montreal dinner in July that almost flew under the radar.
— (@)
Where does this leave everyone?
Right, let us look at the context. Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom only finalised their split recently, with the co-parenting news coming out in July. Justin Trudeau’s marriage to Sophie Grégoire also ended last year. Both are prominent figures with busy lives who have only just become single. Sources are already saying he has been "persistent," flying to see her on tour breaks. It has the feel of something that is accelerating fast. And Perry, with that London comment, seems ready to let it.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.