The surprising news of Donald Trump’s decision against pardoning Sean “Diddy” Combs has sent ripples through the entertainment and legal worlds, igniting strong reactions, particularly from fellow artist 50 Cent.

Combs, a Grammy-winning music mogul, recently faced a high-profile sex-trafficking trial. Despite public speculation, the jury ultimately found him guilty of lesser charges, specifically transportation to engage in prostitution, rather than the more severe sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy accusations.

This partial acquittal represented a significant setback for the prosecution, led by Maurene Comey and her team from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York. The office continues to push for Combs to remain incarcerated, seeking a multi-year sentence at his upcoming October 2 sentencing.

The possibility of a presidential pardon for Combs had been a topic of intense speculation, fueled by reports that Donald Trump was “seriously considering” such a move. This contemplation was viewed by some as an attempt by Trump to exert influence and potentially settle old scores with political adversaries.

Sources close to the situation suggest that a part of Trump’s motivation stemmed from a desire to antagonize the family of former FBI Director James Comey and to challenge what he perceived as an overly aggressive and independent Southern District of New York, further complicating the legal battles.

Adding to the public spectacle, rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, a vocal critic of Combs and a supporter of Trump, publicly celebrated the denial of the pardon. Jackson took to social media, sharing an AI-generated image and sharp commentary regarding Combs’s perceived arrogance in expecting presidential clemency.

Trump’s own comments on the matter, particularly during an interview with Newsmax, revealed a nuanced position. He admitted to a past friendship with Combs but cited Combs’s “very hostile” stance during his political campaign as a factor making a pardon “more difficult,” classifying Combs as “sort of half innocent” despite his legal troubles.

The discussion surrounding Combs’s potential pardon also touched upon other controversial figures, including Ghislaine Maxwell, further illustrating the complex nature of presidential clemency. This broader context underscored the political calculations often involved in such high-profile decisions impacting entertainment and politics alike.