Embattled music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs, 55, can spend the rest of his life in prison if he is convicted of the sex trafficking charges brought against him.
But it appears he could have a lifeline even if he’s found guilty, as President Donald Trump said he’s open to exploring the possibility of granting the Bad Boy Records founder a pardon if it’s justified.
Per XXL, Trump, 78, touched on Combs’ trial and the potential of granting him the pardon during a press conference at the White House on Friday, May 30.
“I’d look at what’s happening,” Trump said. “And I haven’t been watching it too closely. Though it is certainly getting a lot of coverage. I haven’t spoken to him in years. He used to really like me a lot. I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up.”
“I would certainly look at the facts,” he added. “If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact.”
Trump touching on Combs’ ordeal comes after sources told Rolling Stone that Combs’ team contacted the president’s transition officials after he was elected to lobby for a potential pardon for the 55-year-old.
“He’s willing to do anything to get out of jail,” a source said. “He’s always been this way. He’s always going to do what he has to do to get out of a situation…He doesn’t even like Donald Trump.”
Trump saying he won’t rule out granting Combs a pardon also comes after he recently commuted the sentences of Larry Hoover (the co-founder and former leader of the violent Chicago street gang, the Gangster Disciples) as well as Death Row Records co-founder Michael “Harry O” Harris
He also pardoned rapper NBA YoungBoy.