Latest news with #FreakOffs
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"If Somebody Was Mistreated...": Trump On Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Pardon
US President Donald Trump on Friday floated the possibility of pardoning Sean 'Diddy' Combs, stating that he "would certainly look at the facts". At a White House news conference, Donald Trump said that nobody has asked him to pardon the hip-hop mogul. For those who don't know, in a 2012 episode of the reality show Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump said that he was friends with Sean 'Diddy' Combs. "I think some 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,' Mr Trump was quoted as saying by Reuters. His statement came during the Oval Office press conference with the world's richest person, Elon Musk, who recently exited as the chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Mr Trump also highlighted that he has not seen Sean Combs and 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, from what I read. I don't know -- he didn't tell me that, but I'd read some little bit nasty statements," he added. Donald Trump added that he "would certainly look at the facts" in the much-talked-about case. "If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me," he said. Meanwhile, Sean 'Diddy' Combs has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, as well as transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs was taken into custody in September last year and has since been held without bail on multiple federal charges. Donald Trump, who took office in January this year, has extensively used his power to pardon or commute sentences in cases where people have been accused or convicted of federal crimes. This is unusual compared to his predecessor, who usually waited until near the end of their terms to grant clemency. Sean Combs, who faces life in prison if found guilty on all counts, is famous for elevating the hip-hop culture in America. Dozens of lawsuits filed against him have accused him of sexual abuse. Federal prosecutors said that he coerced women to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances, dubbed "Freak Offs", over two decades. At least two women have testified that they were raped by him. Although Sean Combs' lawyers have acknowledged him being abusive at times in romantic relationships, they argue that these women took part in the "Freak Offs" consensually.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trump: No requests to pardon Sean 'Diddy' Combs, but will look at the facts
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Friday that no one has asked him to pardon Sean "Diddy" Combs but that he would look at the facts of the hip-hop mogul's case. Trump's comments at a White House news conference came as Combs attended the 13th day of testimony in the rapper's criminal sex trafficking trial. The Bad Boy Records founder has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. During a press conference at the White House, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Trump whether he would consider pardoning Combs, noting that the businessman-turned-politician said during a 2012 episode of his "Celebrity Apprentice" reality show that he was friends with the rapper. "Nobody's asked. You had to be the one to ask, Peter," Trump said. "I think some 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." Since taking office on January 20, Trump has made extensive use of his power to pardon or commute the sentences of people accused of or convicted of federal crimes - a break with tradition as presidents normally wait until near the end of their terms before granting clemency. Trump, a Republican, said he had not seen or spoken to Combs in years. Combs could face life in prison if convicted on all counts. Also known throughout his career as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, Combs is known for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige into stars. In the process, he elevated hip-hop in American culture and became a billionaire. The criminal charges filed last September, as well as dozens of civil lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual abuse, have left his reputation in tatters. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say Combs over two decades coerced women to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers. Two women have testified that Combs had raped them. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged that he was at times abusive in romantic relationships, but argued that the women who took part in "Freak Offs" did so consensually.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Diddy's bodyguard Gene Deal clashes with fans outside court over his alleged involvement in Freak Offs
Sean 'Diddy' Combs's former bodyguard had an intense confrontation with fans outside the New York City courthouse about his alleged involvement in Freak Offs. Gene Deal, who protected the disgraced rapper throughout the 1990s, was seen being bombarded by several people on Tuesday - day 10 of the blockbuster trial. As explosive testimonies played out inside the federal courtroom, events outside also got heated after Deal was asked about the drug and sex-fueled Freak Offs Diddy is accused of orchestrating for several years. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO While he appeared to enter the courthouse, Gene stopped in his tracks as a man off-camera shouted at him: 'Hey G, I talked to Randy Pittman last night, a white guy, who said in 2004, you was at a party with P. Diddy, and you held him down with two minor kids. 'I did an interview with him on my YouTube last night. What do you have to say about that Gene?,' he added in the video posted on TikTok. Gene seemingly looked toward the man as he shouted accusations at him while a woman got close to him and shoved a phone in his face, and a man snapped pictures of him with a camera. 'He said you was at a Puffy party! You gave him E pills and you held two minors down as well as him Gene, I interviewed him on my YouTube,' the man continued. 'He filed a lawsuit!' he added as another man kept repeating the word 'allegedly.' Gene then appeared to look towards the yelling man and said: 'I'll speak to you when you get inside. 'You coming back in right? Alright I'll see you when you get inside,' Gene said as he entered the building. This was reportedly not the first dramatic interaction Deal had outside the courthouse, as he allegedly got physical with a person 'harassing him' at the trial, according to the outlet The Art Of Dialogue. Gene was 'told not to return to the Diddy trial for a few days' following the outburst, according to the outlet. A video, posted by the outlet, appeared to show Gene going back and forth in a heated exchange with a man. 'You're not gonna tell me what to do,' the man told Gene as the bodyguard turned toward him. 'You can't come up on me! If you come up on me, I'm gonna knock you the f*** out,' Gene yelled back. Gene then continued walking ahead as a woman started screaming at the other man. Diddy's former bodyguard is one of many big names who have been vocal about the allegations against the music mogul. The 55-year-old's staggering downfall began when his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a bombshell lawsuit in 2023 detailing horrific claims of sexual abuse and violence at the hands of her ex-partner. The lawsuit was settled for $20 million just a day after it was filed, but it was too late for Diddy's reputation as the rapper was then hit with dozens of lawsuits detailing similar claims. Diddy denies all allegations against him. His lawyers admit he's a woman beater - although he does not face domestic abuse charges - but that he is not guilty of sex trafficking or racketeering. In a recent interview with The Art Of Dialogue, Deal said he believes the pressure from hearing hours of testimony about his 'dirty deeds with Cassie' will 'break' Diddy. 'He can't take sitting right there and hearing all of his dirty deeds with Cassie,' he claimed. 'He's hearing all of his deeds in front of him and he ain't high. He ain't drunk... He gone break bruh. I'm telling you. 'He'll end up asking his defense team to see if y'all can still get me that deal,' he continued.
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
2nd woman tells jury Sean 'Diddy' Combs raped her, Entertainment News
NEW YORK — Sean "Diddy" Combs was accused of rape by a second woman on Thursday (May 29) as the hip-hop mogul stands trial for sex trafficking and racketeering, charges that could lead to life in prison if he is convicted. A former personal assistant to Combs, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, testified in Manhattan federal court that the Bad Boy Records founder raped her at least twice. "I was just frozen. I didn't do anything. I just let it happen," Mia said, fighting back tears and staring into her lap as she described an incident in which Combs allegedly grabbed her head and put his penis in her mouth. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts including racketeering and sex trafficking. Mia told jurors Combs climbed on top of her while she was sleeping and raped her while she lay frozen with fear. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged he was at times abusive in domestic relationships but said any sex was consensual. During the testimony, Combs occasionally passed notes to his lawyers but otherwise showed little outward reaction. Testimony before a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in Manhattan federal court is in its third week. Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, coerced women over two decades to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances with male sex workers known as "Freak Offs". In emotional testimony during the first week of trial, Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura told jurors Combs physically and emotionally abused her throughout their tumultuous 11-year relationship and raped her shortly after they broke up for good. Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, said she participated in the Freak Offs because she feared Combs would release sex tapes of her if she didn't, but also because she loved him. Friends and associates of Combs and Ventura have testified about Combs' alleged abuse, describing Combs as a domineering figure who relied on bodyguards and associates to enable his alleged crimes and keep victims in line. The trial has drawn intense media coverage due to Combs' cultural influence and role in taking hip-hop mainstream through legendary artists like the Notorious B.I.G. Combs was arrested in Manhattan last September and is being held at a federal prison in Brooklyn when not in court. Dawn Richard, a former member of the pop group Danity Kane, testified last week that she felt threatened when Combs told her to keep quiet about what she saw. Richard faced a sharp cross-examination by one of Combs' lawyers, who sought to point to inconsistencies between her testimony and what she said during interviews with prosecutors. Last week, Scott Mescudi — the rapper known as Kid Cudi — testified that his car was set on fire in 2012, shortly after Combs learned that Mescudi had a romantic relationship with Ventura. Prosecutors say the alleged arson of Mescudi's car was one of several violent or illegal acts that Combs or his associates undertook to prevent women from leaving his orbit and keep his abuse quiet. [[nid:718506]]
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Second woman tells jury Sean Diddy Combs raped her
Trial highlights Combs' alleged coercion and abuse Lawyers for hip-hop artist claim Freak Offs were consensual He pleads not guilty to racketeering and sex trafficking charges (Recasts top with new testimony in paragraphs 1-3, 5-6) By Jack Queen and Luc Cohen NEW YORK, May 29 (Reuters) - Sean 'Diddy' Combs was accused of rape by a second woman on Thursday as the hip-hop mogul stands trial for sex trafficking and racketeering, charges that could lead to life in prison if he is convicted. A former personal assistant to Combs, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, testified in Manhattan federal court that the Bad Boy Records founder raped her at least twice. 'I was just frozen. I didn't do anything. I just let it happen,' Mia said, fighting back tears and staring into her lap as she described an incident in which Combs allegedly grabbed her head and put his penis in her mouth. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts including racketeering and sex trafficking. Mia told jurors Combs climbed on top of her while she was sleeping and raped her while she lay frozen with fear. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged he was at times abusive in domestic relationships but said any sex was consensual. During the testimony, Combs occasionally passed notes to his lawyers but otherwise showed little outward reaction. Testimony before a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in Manhattan federal court is in its third week. Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, coerced women over two decades to take part in days-long, drug-fueled sexual performances with male sex workers known as "Freak Offs." In emotional testimony during the first week of trial, Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura told jurors Combs physically and emotionally abused her throughout their tumultuous 11-year relationship and raped her shortly after they broke up for good. Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, said she participated in the Freak Offs because she feared Combs would release sex tapes of her if she didn't, but also because she loved him. Friends and associates of Combs and Ventura have testified about Combs' alleged abuse, describing Combs as a domineering figure who relied on bodyguards and associates to enable his alleged crimes and keep victims in line. The trial has drawn intense media coverage due to Combs' cultural influence and role in taking hip-hop mainstream through legendary artists like the Notorious B.I.G. Combs was arrested in Manhattan last September and is being held at a federal prison in Brooklyn when not in court. Dawn Richard, a former member of the pop group Danity Kane, testified last week that she felt threatened when Combs told her to keep quiet about what she saw. Richard faced a sharp cross-examination by one of Combs' lawyers, who sought to point to inconsistencies between her testimony and what she said during interviews with prosecutors. Last week, Scott Mescudi - the rapper known as Kid Cudi - testified that his car was set on fire in 2012, shortly after Combs learned that Mescudi had a romantic relationship with Ventura. Prosecutors say the alleged arson of Mescudi's car was one of several violent or illegal acts that Combs or his associates undertook to prevent women from leaving his orbit and keep his abuse quiet. (Reporting by Jack Queen and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
