In a surprise phone call that quickly ignited controversy, Suge Knight, the former CEO of Death Row Records who is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter, suggested that former President Donald Trump may pardon rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs if he is convicted in his ongoing federal trial for sex trafficking and racketeering.
Knight made the claim during a Tuesday night interview on NewsNation’s “CUOMO,” speaking with host Chris Cuomo about Combs’ legal troubles and the political landscape surrounding high-profile criminal cases.
“I still feel that Puffy’s gonna be all right and have a fair shot at it,” Knight said confidently, referring to Combs by his longtime nickname. “Because Puffy didn’t — he’s not a dummy.”
Knight, 60, implied that Combs' connections and influence could ultimately help him navigate the justice system. “I’m quite sure somebody’s going to talk to those jurors and convince one or two of them — that’s all you need, is one,” he said, hinting at the possibility of jury tampering or influence, though he quickly pivoted to focus on Combs’ broader public sway.
Cuomo pressed Knight on whether he was implying that Combs might be relying on improper tactics such as juror interference to avoid a conviction. Knight deflected but doubled down on his belief that Combs had significant influence, both inside and outside the courtroom.
“It does not seem like the prosecution is that bad against him,” Knight said, implying that the federal case might not be as strong as headlines have suggested.
But the most striking moment came when Knight predicted that even a conviction would not be the end of the road for Combs. “I think he got some favors with the government,” Knight told Cuomo.
“I think they’re going to show him a little leeway. It might not seem like it when it’s all said and done, but I don’t think he had nothing to worry about.”
Knight then made the bombshell assertion that if Combs is convicted, former President Trump would likely step in with a pardon. “I don’t think he’s worried, because he’s going to be federal.
And if he gets convicted, Trump’s going to pardon him,” he said, suggesting that political calculations and past examples of controversial clemency could play a role in Combs’ future.
Cuomo, appearing skeptical, asked directly whether Knight believed Trump would issue a presidential pardon for a sex trafficking conviction — a charge that, if proven, would place Combs at the center of one of the most explosive criminal scandals in modern entertainment history.
Knight didn’t hesitate with his response. “S—, he pardoned Michael Harris,” Knight fired back, referring to the co-founder of Death Row Records, who was granted clemency in 2021 after serving 33 years on drug trafficking and attempted murder charges.
Knight used the example of Harris to illustrate his point that presidential pardons can be highly political and sometimes unpredictable. “They don’t care about that.
It’s all about, you know, what’s in it for the long run,” Knight added, suggesting that such decisions are based more on strategic benefits than moral or legal considerations.
Michael “Harry-O” Harris, whose release from prison was reportedly supported by Trump allies in the music industry, later endorsed Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
That endorsement gave Knight further reason to believe that Combs, should he face a guilty verdict, could still find favor from Trump, especially if political or financial incentives align.
The comments have already sparked intense debate on social media, where users are split between outrage and disbelief. Critics of Knight argue that suggesting jury tampering or a politically motivated pardon undermines the integrity of the legal system.
Supporters, however, see his remarks as a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the real-world dynamics between celebrity, power, and politics.
This controversy lands at a time when Combs is already under extraordinary scrutiny. Multiple lawsuits and criminal investigations have targeted the music mogul over the past year, with allegations ranging from sexual assault to trafficking, and now racketeering.
The federal charges currently pending are the most serious yet and could carry decades of prison time if he is found guilty.
Knight’s unsolicited defense of Combs, though laced with legal cynicism and political speculation, fits within a broader pattern of celebrity figures using their platforms to critique the justice system from within.
As someone who once ruled the West Coast hip-hop scene and then fell from grace, Knight retains both the notoriety and audacity to say what others might only think.
Whether Trump would consider pardoning someone convicted of sex trafficking remains a matter of speculation. The former president has issued numerous controversial pardons, including to political allies, former military personnel accused of war crimes, and celebrities convicted of financial crimes.
Yet a pardon in a case involving sex trafficking — particularly amid increased national attention to the issue — would ignite a firestorm far more intense than any of his previous clemency decisions.
Still, Trump’s history with celebrity figures in the hip-hop world complicates the picture. He has enjoyed public support from rappers like Kanye West and was praised in 2020 for commuting the sentence of Alice Johnson, a nonviolent drug offender whose case was championed by Kim Kardashian.
If Trump were to return to the White House, the question of how he would handle high-profile clemency petitions could once again take center stage.
For now, Knight’s comments remain unconfirmed speculation. But by publicly linking Trump’s name to the possibility of a Diddy pardon, he has introduced a volatile new angle to a case that is already brimming with legal, political, and cultural significance.
The suggestion that federal justice could be swayed not just by defense attorneys and evidence, but by celebrity status and political favors, is a reminder of just how deeply intertwined American politics and pop culture have become.
As Combs awaits further proceedings, the public is left to wonder not just about the outcome of the trial, but about the potential role that power, politics, and presidential ambitions might yet play in determining his fate. Knight, from behind prison walls, may have said out loud what others have only whispered.
