President Donald Trump mentioned Friday he would look right into a potential pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul who’s at the moment on trial in New York for alleged intercourse trafficking and different crimes.
The stunning remark from Trump got here throughout a information convention when requested if he would think about pardoning him. “No one’s requested. However I do know individuals are fascinated by it,” Trump mentioned. “I feel some folks have been very near asking.”
Combs was arrested in September over accusations of racketeering, and drugging and coercing ladies into sexual relations with him and others. If convicted, he may face life in jail.
The federal investigation into Combs was spurred partially by a 2023 civil lawsuit filed by Combs’ ex-partner Cassie Ventura, wherein she alleged he had engaged in bodily abuse and rape. Whereas the case was settled shortly thereafter, quite a few different victims filed lawsuits in opposition to Combs for comparable sexual assault allegations within the following months.
Combs had initially denied Ventura’s allegations. Then in Could 2024, CNN launched CCTV footage from a Los Angeles lodge hallway the place Combs was seen punching and kicking Ventura in 2016. Combs launched a video assertion on Instagram saying his conduct was “inexcusable.”
His protection group has admitted that he was violent towards Ventura, however contends that he’s not responsible of the costs he’s at the moment dealing with within the trial. Combs has beforehand denied sexually assaulting anybody.
Trump mentioned that he hasn’t been watching the trial, which started in early Could, however famous that “it’s actually getting quite a lot of protection.”
The President added that he hasn’t seen or spoken to Combs in years, however that the 2 New Yorkers had crossed paths earlier than. “He used to actually like me lots,” Trump mentioned of their relationship. “I feel once I ran for politics…that relationship busted up, from what I learn. I don’t know—he didn’t inform me that, however I’d learn some little bit nasty statements.”
Trump and Diddy have been collectively on the 2005 Artwork for Life Gala honoring Diddy at his Mar-a-Lago membership in Palm Seaside, Florida. They have been additionally each photographed, together with First Woman Melania Trump, at a United Nations occasion in 2008. “I will surely have a look at the info. If I feel anyone was mistreated, whether or not they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any affect on me.”
Pardoning Combs if he’s discovered responsible could be a extremely controversial transfer, given the sexual assault allegations and public consideration surrounding the case. However Trump has already pardoned quite a lot of celebrities—each in his first time period and his second time period. This month, his pardons included actuality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley and rapper NBA YoungBoy. He has additionally issued a blanket pardon for everybody who participated within the Jan. 6 riot.
