President Donald Trump didn’t present a definitive reply when requested if he would grant a presidential pardon to hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who’s at the moment on trial in a federal intercourse trafficking case in New York.
On Friday, throughout an Oval Workplace assembly with Elon Musk on the tech billionaire’s final day as a “particular authorities worker,” Trump was coy when answering the query from Fox Information White Home correspondent Peter Doocy.
“Nicely, no one’s requested…However I do know persons are occupied with it. I do know they’re occupied with it. I feel some individuals have been very near asking,” mentioned Trump, who granted greater than a dozen pardons and commutations this week for numerous people, together with actuality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, rapper NBA YoungBoy, former Chicago gang chief Larry Hoover and former skilled boxer Charles Duke Tanner.
The president mentioned he had not been watching the Diddy trial “too intently” however acknowledged that it has been “getting lots of protection.” Although Trump and Diddy have been notably pleasant and socialized collectively over time as rich celebrities in New York Metropolis, Trump famous that he had not seen or spoken to the hip-hop star in years.
“He used to essentially like me quite a bit. I feel once I ran for politics…that relationship busted up,” mentioned Trump, who clarified, “He didn’t inform me that, however I learn some little bit nasty statements within the paper unexpectedly.”
As for Diddy anticipating a pardon from the president, Trump mentioned, “I’m positive he’d like me [to], and I’m positive different individuals would.” He continued, “It’s not a reputation contest, so I don’t know. I would definitely take a look at the information. If I feel any individual was mistreated, whether or not they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any influence.”
Diddy, 55, faces a most life sentence in federal jail if he’s convicted on the costs of racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking by drive, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
“Trump views the presidency as transactional and he’s utilizing the pardon energy as simply one other transaction,” Joel Payne, a Democratic strategist, instructed theGrio. “He relishes the dynamic of individuals bowing to him, and interesting to be in his good graces.”
Payne added, “Sooner or later that act will put on skinny, however within the meantime, I’m positive people will see it as a possibility to benefit from how Donald Trump likes to do enterprise.”
