Speaking with members of the press on Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump floated the possibility of issuing a presidential pardon to disgraced rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, saying "it's not a popularity contest" and "I would certainly look at the facts" if asked.

In a federal indictment unsealed on Sept. 17, Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison.

He has maintained his innocence throughout the ongoing trial in which witnesses have testified to alleged rape, sexual assault, severe physical abuse, forced labor and drug trafficking. 

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In response to a question by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy about his previous friendship with Diddy and whether he would consider a pardon of the former rapper, Trump indicated that he would consider "if I think somebody was mistreated."

The president said that so far "nobody’s asked" for any such pardon, but noted: "I know people are thinking about it. I know that 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," said Trump.

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"I haven't seen him. I haven't spoken to him in years," he went on, adding that Diddy "used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics … that relationship busted up."

Trump said that though he never had a falling out with Diddy per se, after entering politics, he would "read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden."

"It's different," he went on. "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 he'd like me, and I'm sure other people would like me, but it wouldn't be as good for our country."

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"As we said, our country is doing really well because of what we're doing, so it's not a popularity contest, so I don’t know, 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 on me," Trump concluded.

UFC star Colby Covington wasted no time taking shots during a media appearance Wednesday, but he didn't target upcoming opponent Joaquin Buckley. 

Covington instead ripped into NBA superstar LeBron James. 

It wasn’t a question from a reporter that prompted Covington to launch into a rant about basketball’s all-time leading scorer. 

He started off his press conference by questioning James about an old video that resurfaced with James talking to disgraced music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs about his now-infamous "Diddy Parties."

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"I’m gonna start this off, you know, since I’m the man of the hour, man of the show," Covington said. "I want to ask Lebron what does he mean by, ‘There’s no party like a Diddy party.’ I truly want to know. And not only that, LeBron, how many Diddy parties have you actually been to? I’m really curious to know. And is that the reason you left social media because all the backlash you were getting for going to so many Diddy parties?"

The comment Covington is talking about was an old Instagram Live of "P. Diddy" and James in which the basketball star said, "Ain’t no party like a Diddy party," which the music mogul loved. 

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It's a comment that didn’t age well since Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17. 

Authorities alleged Combs ran a criminal enterprise through his business, which includes Bad Boy Entertainment, and he would frequently have "Freak Offs," described as "elaborate produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded," according to an indictment.

James was recently confronted by an NFL fan who accused him of attending Combs’ parties until security intervened. It’s unknown whether James attended any of Combs’ parties in the past. 

"It’s pathetic, man," Covington added. "People think this guy is a role model. He wants to defund the police, the most patriotic people in America, serving and protecting our country. 

"LeBron, you’re a f---ing scumbag, and I hope you get locked up in the same cell with Diddy."

James wasn’t the only target of Covington, who also took shots at fellow fighter Jon "Bones" Jones, among other fighters in the sport. 

Covington has been vocal about James in the past, and he’s always been one to speak his mind and stir some controversy during media appearances.

The American fighter is 17-4 in his UFC career. He lost his last fight at UFC 296 against Leon Edwards. He’s 2-3 in his last five fights, with his last win coming against Jorge Masvidal in March 2022. 

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A woman who says Sean "Diddy" Combs and others gang-raped her in a recording studio when she was a minor was hoping to stay anonymous as the legal process played out. 

However, a judge ruled her name must be used in her lawsuit.

It has since been revealed Jane Doe is Anna Kane, the ex-wife of NHL star Evander Kane.

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"I had hoped to use a pseudonym in pursuing justice for what happened to me as a teenager," Anna said in a statement to multiple outlets, including TMZ. "Defendants’ demand that I use my name was an attempt to intimidate me, but I am not intimidated. I am prepared to proceed and hold accountable those who have harmed me."

Kane says Diddy and others gave her drugs and alcohol before forcibly having sex when she was still in high school at the age of 17, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

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Evander and Anna got divorced in 2021 after Anna accused Evander of domestic violence and sexual assault and alleging Evander had thrown NHL games he had played in after betting on them.

Evander admitted to having a gambling addiction, but the NHL found no evidence he had bet on games.

He has not played this season after hitting the ice for 77 contests last season.

Diddy was denied bail last week and is still being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn on sex trafficking and racketeering charges after his arrest in September.

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