President Donald Trump responded Friday to a query about probably pardoning Sean “Diddy” Combs, who stands indicted on federal prices together with intercourse trafficking.
“I haven’t spoken to him in years,” Trump advised Fox Information reporter Peter Doocy when requested 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 as soon as ran in the identical rich social circles as Trump, however was federally indicted in September on one depend of racketeering conspiracy, one depend of intercourse trafficking by power, fraud or coercion and one depend of transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
Prosecutors in Manhattan added two prices final month of intercourse trafficking by power, fraud or coercion, and transportation for functions of prostitution. Surveillance footage launched final Might confirmed Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.
He has pleaded not responsible to all prices and faces 15 years to life in jail if convicted.
“You know, it’s different,” Trump mentioned 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 had been beforehand seen as symbols of monetary success and social standing. Trump was reportedly the primary main celeb to reach at Combs’ birthday celebration in 1998, with their mutual respect even spawning a VIBE journal article.
Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan/Getty Photos
Trump, then an unscrupulous actual property tycoon whose wealth had been continuously lauded in hip-hop songs for the reason that Eighties, advised the New York Every day Information after Combs was charged with assault in 1999 that Combs was “a visionary and a great talent.”
Trump most just lately pardoned actuality TV stars and MAGA loyalists Todd and Julie Chrisley of fraud and tax evasion prices.
On Friday, he resisted giving a definitive reply on whether or not or not he would pardon Combs.
“It’s not a popularity contest, so I don’t know,” he mentioned. “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.”
