Because Combs was convicted of federal charges, President Donald Trump could theoretically pardon him.
Combs and Trump had a friendly relationship before the real estate tycoon entered politics, and the president suggested to reporters a few weeks ago that he’d be open to considering a pardon.
“Well, nobody’s asked,” Trump told reporters at the end of May, “but I know people are thinking about it. I know they’re thinking about it. I think people have been very close to asking. 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. I haven’t seen him. I haven’t spoken to him in years.”
He said the music mogul “used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, he sort of that relationship busted up, from what I read, I don’t know, he didn’t tell me that, but I’d read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.”
“So I don’t know,” Trump said. “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.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the verdict.