US President Donald Trump has claimed that Sean “Diddy” Combs has personally requested him for a presidential pardon following his current sentencing in New York. Trump made the remarks contained in the Oval Workplace, in accordance with journalist Jake Sherman, who reported the change from the White Home. “‘Puff Daddy has requested me for a pardon,’ Trump simply stated within the Oval,” he wrote on social media.
The forty seventh president went on to say he had as soon as been on pleasant phrases with the rapper and producer. “Most likely — hmm. , I used to be very pleasant with him. I get together with him nice. Appeared like a pleasant man. I didn’t know him properly. However after I ran for workplace, he was very hostile,” Trump stated. Combs, 55, was acquitted of racketeering and intercourse trafficking prices in July however discovered responsible of transporting former girlfriends for prostitution. He was sentenced to 4 years and two months in jail final week, with allocations for time served.
The decision got here after 13 hours of jury deliberation. Witnesses contained in the courtroom stated the music mogul sank to his knees and commenced praying as the choice was learn out, earlier than turning to the gallery to applaud his household and kids, who had gathered to assist him.
Throughout his high-profile trial, prosecutors offered proof of what they described as Combs’ “freak-off events,” which reportedly concerned a number of ladies, together with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
Cassie submitted an emotional influence assertion earlier than sentencing, referencing footage that confirmed Combs assaulting her in a lodge hallway.
In a prolonged letter to Choose Arun Subramanian, Combs stated his downfall got here from “medicine and extra,” admitting: “My downfall was rooted in my selfishness.
“I’ve been humbled and damaged to my core. The outdated me died in jail and a brand new model of me was reborn. Jail will change you or kill you — I select to dwell.”
He went on: “This has been the toughest two years of my life, and I’ve nobody guilty for my present actuality and scenario however myself.
“I’m so sorry for the damage that I brought about, however I perceive that the mere phrases ‘I’m sorry’ won’t ever be adequate.”
The disgraced producer requested the court docket to grant him a second probability, saying he hoped to turn out to be “an instance of what an individual can do if afforded a second probability”.
Sources near the previous president instructed Deadline in July {that a} pardon for the Unhealthy Boy Data founder is now being “severely thought-about” by the Trump crew.
The request, which started as a casual dialogue, has reportedly gained traction in current weeks after a number of of Combs’ associates started lobbying White Home officers instantly.
Trump has beforehand hinted that he was “open” to the thought, regardless of acknowledging their strained relationship. “He was hostile after I ran for workplace,” Trump reiterated, including: “however I don’t maintain grudges.”
