
The Diddy trial: The rise and fall of Sean Combs
This opened the floodgates. Dozens of other alleged victims came forward, and soon Combs found himself at the center of a federal investigation into his businesses. After arresting him in September 2024, federal prosecutors alleged in an indictment that Combs used his business to carry out criminal activity, including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and bribery. He's now awaiting trial in a Brooklyn jail.
For the next month on 'Post Reports,' we're going to be following Combs's trial, which starts Monday. You'll hear regularly from reporter Anne Branigin, who's been closely following this story since Cassie filed her lawsuit, as well as other Washington Post journalists from the Style and Audio teams. On today's episode, Branigin describes how the Combs rose to fame and power, and what he is now being accused of.
Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and Carla Spartos and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks also to Maggie Penman, Lucas Trevor, Amanda Finnegan and Renita Jablonski. The episode also features Janay Kingsberry and Helena Andrews-Dyer, reporters for the Style section of The Post. Geoff Edgers contributed to this report.
Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs on Spotify here.
Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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New York Post
11 minutes ago
- New York Post
Secretive Air Force jet spotted flying over Area 51 by plane- obsessed photographer
Area 51 just got a little more mysterious. The US Air Force's top-secret Boeing 737-200 aircraft, also known as the RAT55 jet, was spotted soaring over Nevada's Groom Lake facility, confirming long-rumored ties to the classified base. From 26 miles away atop Tikaboo Peak, a mountain in Nevada, plane-obsessed photographer Michael Rokita recorded fuzzy footage of the RAT55, which is used as a radar testbed, pulling off touch-and-go maneuvers and a landing on runway 32, according to the Daily Mail. Advertisement Moments later, the jet rolled into Hangar 18 as the huge doors parted like a scene straight out of a sci-fi movie. Recognizable by its rotund nose and humpbacked profile, the RAT55 probes the stealth of other planes midflight — a covert gig that may have backed the RQ-80 drone. Advertisement Normally in secret, the RAT55 prowls prohibited airspace near Edwards Air Force Base, ghosting flight trackers by turning its transponder off. The jet is a secretive US Air Force Boeing 737-200 aircraft often used as a radar testbed. As per the Daily Mail, Rokita confirmed RAT 55's call sign is 'Saber 98,' a smoking-gun link tying the mysterious jet to Area 51's secretive Hangar 18. Dodging his devices' power failures and the desert's sweltering heat with a Nikon P1000 and a bespoke binocular-smartphone rig, he snapped proof of the radar-testing aircraft. Advertisement The jet is rumored to size up everything from B-2s to stealth prototypes like the B-21 Raider. RAT 55 hardly ever leaves Nevada, but spotting it roll into the infamous Hangar 18 just stokes decades of alien and black-budget rumors. Rokita captured footage of the radar-testing aircraft. Cloud Cap – Back in April, The Post reported on Jerry Freeman, a cultural researcher who accidentally wandered into a restricted corner of Area 51— and lived to tell the tale. Advertisement On a 1996 quest to track lost 1849 Gold Rush journals near the Nevada base, Freeman snuck in undercover at night — and instead of old writings, he may have stumbled on an alien spacecraft, he told UFO researcher George Knapp. 'It looked like a dry lake bed to me, nothing else, but at night it was a different story,' Freeman said to Knapp. 'I could clearly see what were security lights on the perimeters and I could see lights that opened and closed near the center of the lake,' the anthropologist went on. Freeman only got a few minutes to watch — but felt the ground rumble beneath him, a sure sign something top-secret was being tested. For decades, Area 51 was off-limits and off-the-record — until 2013, when the feds finally admitted it existed. Nearly 30 years after Freeman's brush with the base, conspiracy theories linking it to aliens are still flying.


New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
‘Nip/Tuck' star Dylan Walsh involved in serious car crash with family
Dylan Walsh was involved in a serious car accident that sent two people to the hospital. The crash included the 'Nip/Tuck' star and several of his family members, The Post can confirm. The accident occurred in Rumson, New Jersey, on Sunday, August 17, with the local police Department telling TMZ that Walsh's 2022 Ford Explorer smashed into two utility poles before coming to a stop. 8 Dylan Walsh during 'The Lake House' Los Angeles Premiere. FilmMagic The actor's SUV was reportedly heading northbound when it veered into the opposite lane, slamming into a utility pole before colliding with another. Law enforcement confirmed that two of the five people in the vehicle complained of pain and were taken to a local medical center for treatment, per TMZ. It is unclear who was driving — or if Wash, 61, was treated for injuries. Walsh's rep addressed the incident, revealing that everyone involved was on the mend. 8 Dylan Walsh attends the premiere of 'The Stepfather' at the SVA Theater on October 12, 2009 in New York. FilmMagic 8 Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in an episode of 'Nip/Tuck.' ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection 8 Dylan Walsh, Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson in 'Nip/Tuck.' ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection 'Over the weekend, Dylan Walsh and his family were involved in a car accident in Rumson,' the rep told The Post. 'Thankfully, everyone is safe and has since returned home. The family is deeply grateful for the swift response of the Rumson Police, Fire Department, and EMS, as well as the staff at Riverview Medical Center for their care.' They continued: 'They would also like to extend a special thank-you to the management and staff of The River Point Inn for their support in the immediate aftermath.' Walsh's crash comes just one month after his 'Nip/Tuck' co-star Julian McMahon's shocking death. 8 Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon during Season Four Premiere Screening Of 'Nip/Tuck' in Los Angeles. FilmMagic The pair starred alongside each other in Ryan Murphy's plastic surgery drama for six seasons, from 2003 to 2010. Walsh played Dr. Sean McNamara, while McMahon portrayed Dr. Christian Troy. McMahon's wife, Kelly, revealed that the beloved actor died in Clearwater, Florida, on July 2, after a private battle with cancer. 8 Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in 'Nip/Tuck.' ©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co 8 Dylan Walsh, Roma Maffia and Julian McMahon in 'Nip/Tuck.' ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection 'With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,' Kelly said in a statement to Deadline. 'Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,' she continued. 'His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.' Kelly did not reveal what type of cancer McMahon had been fighting. Walsh joined several of McMahon's co-stars who paid tribute to the late actor following his death. 8 Dylan Walsh and Joely Richardson in a Season 4 episode of 'Nip/Tuck.' ©FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection 'Dear Jules, I know you like to flout the boundaries but this time you've gone too far,' Walsh exclusively told The Post on July 5. 'Let's meet at the Biltmore, have a martini and we'll talk this through.' 'We'll laugh hard, the valet will bring up your Hummer, and right behind my hatchback with car seats and bird s–t on the window,' he continued, before ending his message, 'We've laughed at this too many times. Now it's just us. You'll kiss me on the cheek and say 'Bye Dyl.' Goodbye, Jules.'


New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Ukrainian children captured and ‘brainwashed' by Russia in preparation for war tell how they escaped
Ukrainian teenager Vladyslav Rudenko's life was upended when Russian soldiers blasted into his home in Kherson in October 2022. The menacing, black balaclava-clad troops said he had 30 minutes to pack whatever he could carry then ripped him from his family — he was 16 at the time. It was nine months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Rudenko was forced onto one of several buses filled with Ukrainian children. Advertisement 11 Vlad said he was kidnapped and sent to a military academia in Russia where he was forced to swear allegiance to the Russian flag and learned how to use weapons. He is pictured here posing with a gun bought by others at his military camp. he was rescued just before he was sent to the front lines. Courtesy of Save Ukraine The military drove them to a camp in Crimea known as Druzhba — 'Friendship' in both Ukrainian and Russian — populated by some 600 Ukrainian children and teenagers who were there to be re-educated. The forced recruits were told to discard anything that would identify them as Ukrainian. One girl wore a T-shirt stamped with the words 'Glory to Ukraine,' Rudenko told The Post. She refused to take it off, so the Russian soldiers cut it off her, according to Rudenko. Advertisement At the re-education camp, teenagers were subjected to Russian propaganda videos and had to swear allegiance every morning to the Russian flag. When Rudenko refused to cooperate, he was stuck in a dark cell and force-fed pills 'to calm me down.' Later, the soldiers sent Rudenko to a military camp where he learned to use weapons and drive a tank. 11 Save Ukraine works to rescue children seized by Russia, and help them integrate back into Ukraine society. Courtesy of Save Ukraine Advertisement 11 Save Ukraine has saved 777 Ukrainian children who were kidnapped by Russia and placed in re-education camps to turn them into Russian citizens. Courtesy of Save Ukraine He was offered a Russian passport, education at a Russian university and Russian citizenship. 'They were trying to bribe me,' he said, adding that he is currently in therapy after suffering 'emotional and psychological pressure to switch sides.' Before he was scheduled to go to the front, Rudenko was allowed to call his mother, who had been working with the non-profit Save Ukraine to help him. Advertisement For security reasons, he says he cannot reveal how he was rescued, but is now back in Ukraine in what he described as 'a very stable' environment. The Russians offered him a Russian passport, education at a Russian university and Russian citizenship. 11 After his rescue from a Russian military academy, Vlad says he is back in a stable environment and is training to be a boxer. Courtesy of Save Ukraine 'They were trying to bribe me,' he said, adding that he is currently in therapy after suffering 'emotional and psychological pressure to switch sides.' Rudenko is one of the lucky few to have made it back. Save Ukraine says it has rescued 777 children so far out of the estimated 1.6 million who it says have been taken by the Russians. 'This is a systematic indoctrination to annihilate our identity and destroy our country by kidnapping our children,' said Mykola Kuleba, founder of Save Ukraine and a former commissioner for children's rights for the Ukrainian government between 2014 and 2021. The group's investigators recently found an online catalog of 294 kidnapped Ukrainian children put up for adoption in Russia. The database is hosted on the education department's website in Russian-controlled Luhansk, where children are advertised for their character traits and physical features. Advertisement The Post viewed some of the posts, featuring children ranging in age from five to 15. Russia says the children are all orphans, Save Ukraine maintains that in the majority of cases they are not, and have been forcibly separated from their families. In the entries 'Alexandra' is pictured in a plaid black and red shirt, her profile says she is 14 years old with brown eyes and 'demonstrates leadership qualities.' The description lists: 'sings well, dances, writes stories.' Advertisement The question 'brothers or sisters' is answered only with 'yes' and no further details. 11 Alexandra is among the Ukrainian children that the Russian have put up for adoption. The 14-year-old 'demonstrates leadership qualities,' according to her online bio. Save Ukraine 11 Ilya, a five-year-old, who is up for adoption, is described as 'very cheerful… Very hardworking… Favorite activity [is] drawing and active games in the fresh air,' in his online bio. Save Ukraine 11 Angelina, 15, is 'Non-aggressive, kind, capable of sympathy … willing to carry out assignments. If she takes on a task, she sees it through to the end,' according to her adoption bio. Save Ukraine Advertisement 11 Sugar, 14, was also marked for adoption on the Russian site, described as having 'a desire and aspiration to take care of someone. Shows love for animals. Especially loves dogs.' Save Ukraine has blasted such postings as 'a slave catalog.' Save Ukraine In another post, a five-year-old boy, Ilya, is pictured at his school desk with a pencil and coloring book. He is described as 'very cheerful … loves to smile and hug,' and 'always helps not only adults, but also children.' Another girl, Angelina, is pictured on a sunny street with her hands held behind her back. She is described as 15 and 'capable of sympathy' as well as 'responsible about cleaning the classroom.' 'Russia isn't even trying to hide it anymore,' Kuleba said in a post on X. 'On official platforms, Ukrainian orphans are displayed like products in an online marketplace.' Advertisement Kuleba called the database 'a slave catalog' and denounced it as 'digital trafficking.' 11 Mykola Kuleb says that Russia has kidnapped 1.6 million Ukrainian children since they invaded Ukraine in 2014. Courtesy of Save Ukraine Last week, in an exclusive interview with The Post, Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska made a special plea for the return of Ukrainian children as President Trump met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to hammer out an end to the conflict in Ukraine. 'For all Ukrainians, this is one of the most heartbreaking consequences of this war,' Zelenska said. 'The Russians took them — without consent, without records.' First Lady Melania Trump issued her own plea to Putin in a 'peace letter' handed to the Russian leader at the Alaska meeting. 'As parents, it is our duty to nurture the next generation's hope,' she wrote. 'As leaders, the responsibility to sustain our children extends beyond the comfort of a few.' 11 Ksenia, 21, worked with the charity to get her teenage brother back. Courtesy of Save Ukraine 11 Ksenia with Mykola Kuleb and others invovled in the Save Ukraine charity. Courtesy of Save Ukraine Some siblings have taken matters into their own hands. Ksenia, 21, who only wanted to be identified by her first name, helped rescue her 13-year-old brother. Their situation was slightly different. They were both raised by the same foster parents, but — following a raid by soldiers on their home in Vovchansk in northeastern Ukraine — the parents decided to send the teenage brother with soldiers to be re-educated in Russia. 'They told him that Ukraine was full of Nazis who wanted to kill him,' Ksenia told The Post through the translator. 'When I saw him, he was completely brainwashed.' Upset by this, Ksenia began the 'challenging journey' of assembling the necessary documentation to remove her brother from the school he had been posted to, with the help of officials at Save Ukraine. At first, her brother was unsure about leaving Russia. But Ksenia said she was able to convince him to return to Ukraine for just a month at first, and then he could decide if he wanted to stay or go back. After spending time with his sister he decided to say and they both now live in the capital, Kyiv, where Ksenia is in her third year of a journalism degree. She said her experience in saving her brother inspired her choice of career. 'I want to find out the truth,' she said. 'I want to know about how the war has affected Ukrainian children.'