President Donald Trump said Friday he would consider granting a pardon to Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is currently on trial in Manhattan on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could result in a life sentence if convicted. The statement, delivered during an Oval Office press conference alongside Elon Musk, comes as Combs faces mounting allegations of sexual violence, criminal conspiracy, and attempted murder.
"Nobody's asked," Trump, 78, said when questioned by Fox News's Peter Doocy about a possible pardon for the 55-year-old music mogul. "But I know people are thinking about it. I think some people have been very close to asking."
Trump emphasized he had not followed the case closely, stating, "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." He added, "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."
Combs is facing a federal trial that began May 12 and has already included nearly 20 hours of testimony from his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Ventura has described being coerced into drug-fueled sex parties known as "freak-offs," alleging years of abuse and manipulation. She testified that Combs beat her and used blackmail to force her participation in humiliating encounters with male escorts.
Prosecutors allege that Combs used his label, Bad Boy Records, as a front for a broader criminal enterprise. One former assistant, testifying under the alias "Mia," told jurors that Combs climbed into her bed and raped her without consent. Federal charges also accuse him of bribing a security guard to cover up surveillance footage from a 2016 assault at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles and plotting to bomb rapper Kid Cudi's car in a jealous rage.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His legal team has said the allegations are "categorically false" and politically motivated.
Trump acknowledged that he had once had a friendly relationship with Combs, noting, "He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up, from what I read."
The president's remarks come as he continues a wave of clemency actions during his second term. On Wednesday, he issued 17 pardons and nine commutations, including for reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, and former Republican officials Michael Grimm and John Rowland. He has also pardoned nearly all defendants convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot.
"I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years," Trump said of Combs. "It's not a popularity contest, so I don't know. I would certainly look at the facts."