Donald Trump claims Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs requested a presidential pardon during Oval Office exchange

President Donald Trump has claimed that Sean “Diddy” Combs asked him for a presidential pardon, revealing the information while responding to a question about Ghislaine Maxwell during an Oval Office press exchange.

When asked by a reporter why Maxwell might be considered for clemency, Trump replied, “I don’t know. I’d have to speak to the [Department of Justice]. I’ll look at it. I have a lot of people who have asked me for pardons. I call him Puff Daddy, [he] has asked me for a pardon.”

Combs, who was sentenced last week to four years and two months in federal prison for transportation for prostitution charges, has previously been the subject of speculation regarding a potential pardon.

Speaking to Newsmax in August, Trump reflected on his past relationship with the music mogul, saying, “He was essentially I guess sort of half-innocent. I was very friendly with him. I get along with him great, and seemed like a nice guy, I didn’t know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”

When asked if a pardon for Combs was likely, Trump responded, “I’d say so,” implying that it was not.

Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lead defence attorney, told Variety in August that he was unaware of any discussions with the Trump administration. “I have literally no idea. There are times I think there’s nothing to it, and there are times I think it’s just rumour mill stuff,” he said.

Earlier today, Combs’ legal team submitted a request for him to serve his sentence at Fort Dix in New Jersey to allow for family visits and rehabilitation efforts.