Diddy branded ‘delusional’ over plans to launch music comeback with stadium show

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is reportedly setting his sights on a return to the stage – and not just any stage.

The embattled music mogul is aiming for Madison Square Garden once he puts his legal battle behind him, according to his lead attorney Marc Agnifilo.

The 55-year-old musician had been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution after he was arrested last September – but denies all of the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

At the start of July, Combs was convicted of transporting Ventura and another former girlfriend, only known as Jane, for prostitution.

He was found not guilty of racketeering and of sex trafficking in the case of both women.

In an interview with CBS Mornings set to air Thursday, Agnifilo revealed that Combs, 55, has expressed a clear goal during his time behind bars: to headline a comeback show at the legendary New York City venue.

[He’s going to be back at Madison Square Garden – and I said I’ll be there,’ Agnifilo told CBS’s Jericka Duncan.

Duncan asked the attorney, ‘So he’s talked to you about getting back into music?’ to which Agnifilo replied, ‘No – honestly, he has not – OK, one thing he said, he said’ was that he’s ‘going to be back in Madison Square Garden.’

Asked what he would do in the performance, Agnifilo replied, ‘I guess being on stage, you know?’

People on social media were quick to react incredulously, with X user @Marge1902 writing: ‘No. There can’t be any people who would want to see him.’

@CoalitionHoops posted: ‘This man can’t be serious!’

@erikaxtc called him delusional, writing: ‘The delusion is REAL!’

catsmamma5 wrote: ‘This man thinks nothing matters and this are justified and back to normal for everything 🙄 . HIS ARROGANCE IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL

The lawyer described Combs as someone who ‘always strives to do something exceptional and probably demanding and challenging.’

According to the lawyer, Combs is also motivated by a longing to reconnect with his family.

‘I think he wants to get out of jail, reestablish a loving, present relationship with all of his seven children,’ Agnifilo said. ‘Get back with his mother, and the people who love him and miss him.’

The news comes as Combs’ legal team continues discussions with members of Donald Trump’s administration about the possibility of a presidential pardon.

A source close to the administration has told Deadline that Trump, 79, is ‘seriously considering’ giving Combs a Presidential pardon.

Speaking with Newsmax on Friday, Trump gave a characteristically vague assessment of Combs’ legal predicament. ‘Well, he was essentially, sort of, half-innocent,’ Trump said.

‘I don’t know what they do that he’s still in jail or something. He was celebrating a victory but I guess it wasn’t as good a victory.’

Another member of the defense, attorney Nicole Westmoreland, told CNN earlier this week that conversations regarding a pardon have taken place. ‘It’s my understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon,’ she said.

This comes just a couple of months after the president publicly entertained the idea of a pardon in the Oval Office, admitting he hadn’t been following the story too closely.

Combs is reportedly holding out hope that his decades-long connection to Trump could influence the former president’s decision.

While the details of Combs’ incarceration and legal case remain under wraps, Agnifilo said his client is using the time to reflect.

‘He’s focusing on the blessings that he’s been given, on the imperfections that I think he sees in himself.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.