Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Closing arguments begin
Closing arguments are set to continue into Friday. Sean "Diddy" Combs waves to supporters as he arrives with his defense lawyers during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York on Tuesday. Jane Rosenberg / Reuters Updated June 26, 2025, 8:01 AM EDT
Since the trial kicked off more than six weeks ago, the government claims that Combs — the Bad Boy Records founder and rapper — leveraged his business as a "criminal enterprise" to sexually abuse and exploit women for decades.
The jury heard from Combs' staffers who testified the music mogul was an abusive boss and they were forced to work grueling hours, clean up after his "hotel nights," and at times procure drugs for him.
The jury also heard from two of his former girlfriends, Cassie Ventura and a woman by the pseudonym "Jane," who testified that Combs repeatedly wanted them to engage in drug-fueled marathon "freak offs" with escorts, even though they didn't want to at times. They also testified that Combs was physically violent and abusive.
The defense has argued that Combs' actions were within the realm of his personal life and his girlfriends, and that prosecutors failed to show that his staff criminally conspired with Combs.
Read the full story here.
Federal prosecutors want to tighten their case against Combs, asking a judge to strike language regarding 'attempted' kidnapping and arson from jury instructions, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
While Combs still faces the same racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking counts — which include the kidnapping and arson allegations — prosecutors said in a filing to U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian that they understand 'the Court's desire for streamlined instructions' to jurors.
'Specifically, the Government has removed instructions from the charge relating to attempted kidnapping under both California and New York law, attempted arson under California law, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking,' the note said.
Read the full story here .
The prosecution will deliver closing arguments starting at 10 a.m. today.
They expect to take around four hours for their closing argument to the jury about their six-week case against Combs. The defense will then deliver its closing arguments, which are expected to take a few hours.
Judge Arun Subramanian hopes to charge the jury on Friday.
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