Trump: ‘Friendship Won’t Influence Pardon Decision’ for Diddy

President Donald Trump was asked on Newsmax about the possibility of a presidential pardon for hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and gave a predictably noncommittal but not-a-complete-dismissal response.

Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, was recently convicted on a federal charge of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution but acquitted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges last month. Testimonies in the sprawling seven-plus-week case included singer Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend, who claimed Combs abused and trafficked her in their relationship. Combs has refuted all of the allegations and denied any involvement in illegal activity.

Asked on Finnerty on Friday on August 1, if he would consider a pardon for Combs, Trump was noncommittal but did not entirely rule it out.

“Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent,” Trump said. “And you know what? He was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn’t as good a victory.”

Trump also made the point that the two had a warm relationship in the past, but that changed when Trump entered politics.

“He’s doing great, Diddy. He’s in jail. I mean, he’s doing great,” Trump added. “We were very friendly. I got along with him great. He used to like me a lot. I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. … But I will say that. And 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.”

Trump’s comments come after the former president made similar comments in May after he was asked by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy on the subject during a White House press briefing.

“We’re going to look at that, but I will tell you that I think I would look at the facts first,” Trump said back then. “If I think somebody was treated unfairly, I’ll certainly take a look.”

Trump added, “I haven’t spoken to him in years,” though he still seemed to rule out any role his relationship with Combs might play if he did decide to take a look.

“If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me,” he continued. “But we’ll see what happens. We’ll see what the facts are.”

Combs was convicted on a federal charge of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution last month, but was acquitted on the sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have seen him serve up to 55 years in prison.

He now faces up to 20 years in prison on the remaining count, and sentencing has been tentatively set for October 3.

Footage of Trump’s full comments as aired on Newsmax’s Finnerty on Friday segment was uploaded to X, where his use of the social media platform went viral following his exit from the White House, sparking discussions on politics, celebrity, and justice.

As of now, the former president has said he would look at the facts in the Combs case before rendering a decision. Whether or not Trump will eventually go through with a presidential pardon for Combs remains to be seen, but until sentencing next month, Trump could decide to play a part in the outcome of the case.