Donald Trump's statement on possibility of pardoning alleged sex trafficker Sean Combs

Hip hop mogul Sean Combs, also known as P Diddy, is standing trial in New York over alleged sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Testimony this month has also included allegations that the Bad Boy For Life rapper left his ex-girlfriend requiring stitches after throwing her into a bedside table, and that he raped his former assistant.

In a press conference today (May 30), opened up for the first time since the court case on the friendship he once shared with Combs. "You mentioned back in 2012 that Diddy was a good friend of yours. He has since found himself in some very serious legal trouble. Would you ever consider pardoning him?" a journalist quizzed. In response, Trump declared that their relationship had seemingly dissolved years earlier after he transitioned from a TV judge on to a politician running for the presidential role.

"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 relationship busted up... I read some nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden," Trump explained.

He may have been referring to Diddy's furious claim in 2020 that he "needs to be banished" for his "dangerous way of thinking", along with an earlier statement declaring: "We don't give a f*** about Trump."

However, during the conference, which was televised on Fox News, he continued that his loyalty lies with what's right for the USA, and that it's "not a popularity contest".

"You become a much different person when you run for politics and you do what's right. I could do other things and I'm sure [Diddy] would like me and other people would like me, but it wouldn't be as good for our country!" he exclaimed.

Then he insisted: "I'd look at the facts. If someone was being mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it would never have an impact on me."

He added that he hadn't been following the court case closely, and that Diddy had never addressed any political clash with him directly.

Trump had spoken of how he "loved" Diddy and saw him as a "good friend" during a 2012 clip on The Apprentice, while in turn Diddy had described him as "a friend of mine [who] works very hard".

The pair were seen together at numerous events, including galas and an art exhibition where Trump was joined by his wife Melania.

Trump and Diddy both have histories as entrepreneurs, with their estimated net worth currently resting at £4.83 billion and £742 million respectively.

However, the latter now finds himself faced with allegations of "sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice", which, if found guilty, could see him jailed for life.