‘Mistreated’: Trump Opens Door to Pardoning Diddy
Rapper and executive is accused of sex trafficking and related charges
Donald Trump will consider granting a presidential pardon to famed rapper and record producer-turned-alleged-sex trafficker Sean “P Diddy” Combs.
Trump said that he would look at a potential pardon Friday in the Oval Office, after being asked about it by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy.
Trump recently pardoned reality TV stars Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley after the couple was convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion.
The trial for Combs on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges began in early May. He’s been held without bond behind bars in detention in Brooklyn, NY.
One of the wealthiest musical acts in the world, Combs is accused of charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.
When asked about the potential for a pardon for Combs, Trump gave a rather meandering answer, going into his personal relationship with the rapper and his own self-aggrandizement.
“Well, nobody’s asked. You had to be the one to ask, Peter, but nobody’s asked, but I know people are thinking about it. I know they’re thinking about it. I think people have been very close to asking,” he said. “First of all, I’d look at what’s happening, and I haven’t been watching it too closely, although it’s certainly getting a lot of coverage. I haven’t seen him. I haven’t spoken to him in years.
“He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, sort of that relationship busted up from what I read. I don’t know. He didn’t tell me that, but I’d read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden,” Trump added. “You know, it’s different. 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.
“As we said, our country is doing really well because of what we’re doing, so I can’t — it’s not a popularity contest,” he added. “So I don’t know. 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.”
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