Trump Weighs In on Possibility of Pardoning Diddy Amid Mann Act Conviction

President Donald Trump has addressed the possibility of granting a presidential pardon to embattled music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently facing legal fallout from a recent federal conviction.

During an interview on Friday with Rob Finnerty on Newsmax’s Finnerty, Trump was asked whether he would consider a pardon for Diddy, whose legal troubles have sparked widespread attention.

The hip-hop icon was recently convicted on two counts under the Mann Act, a federal law that prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for purposes of prostitution. He was, however, acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Responding to the question, Trump said, “I was very friendly with Diddy once. We got along great. He seemed like a nice guy.”

Still, Trump tempered his remarks by pointing out that their relationship was never particularly close and that Diddy had been openly critical of him during past election cycles.

“When I ran for office, he was very hostile toward me. That type of thing can cloud our judgment sometimes,” he added.

Trump did not commit to any course of action, saying he would need to thoroughly review the details of the case before making a decision. His remarks, however, suggested that a pardon is not entirely off the table.

Diddy remains in legal uncertainty as he awaits a ruling on his motion for bail and a sentencing hearing slated for October. The Mann Act conviction alone could carry a substantial prison sentence depending on the court’s ruling.