The 47th U.S. President Donald Trump has addressed whether he would consider granting a pardon to embattled music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs amid his legal battle and line-up of charges.
Trump made the remarks during a Friday interview with Rob Finnerty on Newsmax’s “Finnerty,” where the conversation took an unexpected turn toward the recent federal conviction of Diddy.
The hip-hop icon was recently found guilty on two counts under the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. However, he was acquitted of the more severe charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
When asked directly if he would consider a presidential pardon for Diddy, Trump responded with cautious reflection.
“I was very friendly with Diddy once. We got along great. He seemed like a nice guy,” he said.
However, Trump quickly added a layer of distance, noting that he didn’t know Diddy all that well and pointing out that the rapper had been vocally critical of him during his presidency and election campaigns.
“When I ran for office, he was very hostile toward me. That type of thing can cloud our judgment sometimes,” Trump noted.
The president stopped short of taking a definitive position on the matter, saying he would need to see the full details before making any decisions. Still, his comments left the door slightly ajar for the possibility.
Meanwhile, Diddy remains in legal limbo as he awaits a ruling on his latest motion for bail and his sentencing hearing, scheduled for October. The Mann Act conviction alone could carry significant prison time, depending on the court’s judgment.
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