By Harshit, NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2025 1 AM EDT
Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul once synonymous with glitz, glamour, and hip-hop power, now faces a much quieter reality. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Combs, 55, is scheduled for release on May 8, 2028, following his conviction earlier this month.
The Sentence and the Setting
Combs is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he is serving a 50-month prison sentence. The punishment was handed down on October 3, 2025, by U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian, following his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The court’s ruling came after a two-month trial that gripped the entertainment world. While Combs was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, prosecutors maintained that the rap icon had run a “criminal enterprise” built on exploitation.
Prosecutors vs. Defense: The Sentencing Debate
Federal prosecutors initially sought an 11-year sentence, arguing that Combs’ influence and wealth allowed him to manipulate and abuse others for years. The defense, however, urged leniency, requesting just 14 months behind bars.
In a letter to the court before sentencing, Combs expressed remorse, saying, “I take full responsibility and accountability for my past wrongs. I understand that words alone cannot erase the pain from the past.”
Despite this, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and the need for accountability, describing the sentence as “a necessary measure of justice.”
The Trial and Emotional Testimonies
The trial featured powerful testimony from Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine, Combs’ former girlfriend, who recounted years of abuse and manipulation. Her emotional statements reportedly influenced both the court and public perception.
Combs later addressed her directly in court, admitting, “My actions were disgusting, shameful, and sick.”
The conviction followed a wave of lawsuits and allegations that had shadowed the producer for years, with several women accusing him of coercion and violence. Though Combs denied many of the claims, the federal case proved to be the most damning.
Appeal and Future Legal Battles
Unwilling to accept the verdict, Combs’ legal team filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on October 20. His lawyers have maintained that the trial was “deeply flawed” and that the evidence presented was “incomplete and exaggerated.”
So far, however, attempts to overturn the conviction or secure a new trial have been rejected. The appeal is expected to move forward in early 2026, potentially determining whether Combs could see an early release or face additional penalties.
White House Rumors and Denials
Speculation intensified last week after reports suggested that former President Donald Trump was considering a commutation of Combs’ sentence. TMZ claimed Trump had privately discussed the matter with close aides, citing Combs’ alleged plea for clemency.
However, the White House swiftly denied the claims. A spokesperson told USA Today, “There is zero truth to this story. The president, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations.”
Trump later confirmed that Combs had indeed “asked me for a pardon,” but emphasized that no decision or action had been taken.
The Fall of a Music Mogul
Once celebrated as a visionary producer, entrepreneur, and the driving force behind Bad Boy Records, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ career has been in freefall. His empire — spanning music, fashion, liquor, and media — has suffered immense damage since the allegations emerged.
The 2025 conviction may mark the end of an era for the man who helped define the sound of 1990s hip-hop and R&B. For now, Combs remains in federal custody, facing years of introspection and public scrutiny before he can walk free again in 2028.