Combs faced charges related to racketeering and prostitution, with a conviction on prostitution-related charges leading to a 50-month sentence. In hopes of reducing this sentence, Combs took an unusual route. He asked one of his associates to approach Tyson, hoping the boxing legend would deliver a handwritten letter requesting pardon directly to then-President Trump. According to The Sun, Tyson initially hesitated because he felt nervous about getting involved but eventually agreed as a favor.
Trump later confirmed through The New York Times that he received the pardon request from Diddy via Tyson but had no plans to grant the pardon. He noted that the request "came through a letter."
Tyson spoke sympathetically about Combs during an interview in 2024. He expressed good wishes for him, saying,
"I wish him the best. In life, I wish him the best."
Despite receiving the letter, Trump's White House has offered no further explanation beyond Trump's remarks regarding its receipt through Tyson.