United States (US) President Donald Trump has not ruled out granting a pardon to American rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, but said he would have to look at the facts if asked.

Combs is currently on trial in New York for alleged sex trafficking and other crimes.

Trump was responding to a question posed by a journalist at a press conference on Friday at the White House. Noting the once close relationship between Trump and Combs, the journalist asked the president if he would ever consider pardoning him.

“Nobody has asked, but I know people are thinking about it. I know they are thinking about it. I know people are very close to asking. First of all, I would look into what’s happening, and I haven’t been watching it too closely, although it’s certainly getting a lot of coverage,” Trump said.

He continued, “I haven’t seen him, I haven’t spoken to him in years. He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that sort of relationship busted up, from what I read. He didn’t tell me that, but I read some nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden. You know become a much different person when you are running for politics and you do what’s right. I could do other things, and I’m sure other people would like but it wouldn’t be good for our country and as we said our country is doing really well because of what we are doing, so again, it’s not a popularity contest, so I would certainly look in the facts.”

He noted, however, that their personal relationship would not impact whether or not he would consider a presidential pardon.

“If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me,” Trump added.

Combs was arrested and charged on September 16, 2024, in a three-count indictment with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. It is alleged that between 2008 and up to his arrest, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women and others, and led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery and other crimes.