4 weeks ago
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President Donald Trump responded Friday to a question about potentially pardoning Sean “Diddy” Combs, who stands indicted on federal charges including sex trafficking.
“I haven’t spoken to him in years,” Trump told Fox News reporter Peter Doocy when asked about pardoning Combs. “He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up, from what I read. I don’t know, he didn’t tell me that.”
“But I’d read some … nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden,” he continued.
Combs once ran in the same wealthy social circles as Trump, but was federally indicted in September on one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors in Manhattan added two charges last month of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation for purposes of prostitution. Surveillance footage released last May showed Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
“You know, it’s different,” Trump said Friday. “You become a much different person when you run for politics and you do what’s right. I could do other things and I’m sure he’d like me, and I’m sure other people would like me, but it wouldn’t be as good for our country.”
Trump and Combs were previously seen as symbols of financial success and social status. Trump was reportedly the first major celebrity to arrive at Combs’ birthday party in 1998, with their mutual respect even spawning a VIBE magazine article.
Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images
Trump, then an unscrupulous real estate tycoon whose wealth had been frequently lauded in hip-hop songs since the 1980s, told the New York Daily News after Combs was charged with assault in 1999 that Combs was “a visionary and a great talent.”
On Friday, he resisted giving a definitive answer on whether or not he would pardon Combs.
“It’s not a popularity contest, so I don’t know,” he said. “I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me.”
English (US) ·