Donald Trump risks losing more women voters if he pardons Diddy, can spark ‘another Epstein-like situation'
Reacting to the speculation, Kelly made it clear, Trump shouldn't even think about it. She warned that such a move would backfire hard, damaging not just his campaign but the Republican party itself, especially as he continues to dodge calls to release the supposed Epstein client list. A Wall Street Journal report had earlier revealed Trump's alleged ties to Epstein, including sending him a birthday card, something Trump has denied and sued the outlet over. But now, even his own base is asking questions. As Kelly put it, 'It looks to the MAGA base like [Trump's] part of the elite cabal. And they don't like that. They elected Trump because he promised not to be one of them.'
Also read: Diddy could walk free: Donald Trump 'seriously considering' pardon as disgraced mogul makes another $50M jail release plea
Pardoning Diddy, Kelly says, won't fix Trump's image, it'll damage it further. 'There's already people thinking that there's a cover-up here,' she said, hinting that Diddy's infamous white parties, now under federal investigation, were more than just flashy events, but loaded with drugs, young women, and illegal activity. Kelly's warning comes at a time when Trump's female support is already disappearing. First came the abortion ban backlash, and now, if he lets Diddy walk free, she says, 'It tells all these young, vulnerable women they don't count. That they don't matter. That even the top Republican will look the other way when it comes to this kind of victim.'
And it's not just liberals who are done. 'There are young conservative women who aren't in love with Trump or MAGA. And this will not help,' Kelly said, calling the whole move a 'miscarriage of justice.' What makes the situation worse is Diddy's crimes that were caught on CCTV, brutal footage from a now-shut-down hotel shows him violently attacking then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. 'He beat those women to a pulp and didn't even deny it,' Kelly said. 'He got away with it. He was only found guilty on two minor charges… let him at least serve the time on those.'
Also read: 'To deal with Donald Trump, everyone should be a little drunk,' says Stephen Colbert before bashing the US President for taking $10 million trip to Scotland
Earlier, a report from Deadline suggested Diddy's case has already stirred things up inside the White House, with a few of the disgraced rapper's close allies seen hovering around, quietly trying to score him a way out after his bail plea got turned down. Diddy and his legal team have been repeatedly trying for release, even prepping a $50 million bond to get him out of jail.
Trump, on his part, addressed the pardon rumours, claiming he hadn't received a formal request, but didn't exactly shut the door either. 'I'd look at what's happening,' he said. 'I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years,' he added, nodding to their past friendship. '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.'
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