Latest news with #Obama-shaped
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Here's why Obama was briefly mentioned during Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial
A rumor that circulated online in May 2025 claimed that someone mentioned former U.S. President Barack Obama's name during rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs' New York trial. According to prominent news media outlets publishing live updates from the trial, Obama's name did briefly come up during testimony on the morning of May 20 — specifically with a witness telling prosecutors that Combs' personal security once possessed Obama-shaped ecstasy pills. However, users shared inaccurate reporting about the testimony, alleging the witness instead said a "drug dealer" for Combs met with former presidents, including Obama. Snopes contacted a representative for Obama to request comment about the trial and the inaccurate reporting, and will update this story if we receive any statements. On May 20, The New York Times reported that David James, a former personal assistant to Combs, told Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik the music mogul's security personnel would carry a Louis Vuitton bag at all times filled with pills and cash, including an ecstasy pill shaped like Obama's face. USA Today, The Washington Post and other credible news outlets also reported the detail about the Obama-shaped ecstasy pills. New York Post reporter Priscilla DeGregory, who was inside the Manhattan federal court, published a transcript (archived) of the exchange on the Post's live-update blog (archived): Sean "Diddy" Combs took drugs "every day" — including sometimes downing Obama-shaped ecstasy pills, his ex-personal assistant told jurors Tuesday. "There were various pills but one was in the form of a former president's face," Combs' one-time personal assistant David James said in Manhattan federal court of the types of ecstasy pills he saw his boss take. "Which former president?" prosecutor Christy Slavik asked. "President Obama," James responded. James was named by the prosecution's star witness, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, as the Bad Boy Records founder's "trusted assistant" who helped set up "freak-offs" — depraved, drug-fueled sex romps that form the backbone of the case against Combs. During James' testimony, a journalist for Inner City Press, also reporting from the court, published in a thread of posts (archived) on X that James had mentioned a "drug dealer" for Combs named "One Stop" (or "One-stop"). In the thread's next post, Inner City Press transcribed further testimony, possibly giving the appearance James said "One Stop" also met with former presidents, including Obama. Inner City Press has since deleted that latter post, but not before other users captured screenshots. Numerous users on Facebook (archived), X (archived) and YouTube (archived) shared the unfounded information with screenshots of Inner City Press' deleted post. Snopes located no further credible reports of any such testimony about James saying a drug dealer named "One Stop" met with other presidents, including Obama, nor did we find an archived link for Inner City Press' removed post. In a direct message on X, Snopes asked Inner City Press if they deleted the post because their reporter misheard and/or misstated the comment about the Obama-shaped ecstasy pills. In response, Inner City Press founder Matthew Russell Lee indicated the quick-moving nature of live testimony led to a reporting mistake. "The testimony is fast and furious in this trial: David James was being asked about all the people Combs met with, CEOs of beverage conglomerates, etc, and then the question quickly turned to pills (like today, pills with impression of Tesla on it)," Lee said, referencing testimony about Tesla-stamped pills. "In any event, took that tweet down." Lee added that modern court proceedings could benefit from offering video or audio-only feeds, saying in part, "Accurate but also fast reporting of court proceedings is important. It would be better if Federal courts allowed cameras and audio (some do have audio lines these days in civil cases, including some of the immigration / deportation habeas corpus proceedings). Inner City Press pushed for as much transparency as possible." Combs' trial does not feature any live audio or video. Combs faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, all centered on so-called "freak-off" parties — alleged sexual marathons involving drug use and coercion. Combs pleaded not guilty; if convicted, he faces a minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison. Cohen, Luc, and Jonathan Stempel. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Trafficking; Judge Denies Bail." Reuters, 18 Sept. 2024, "Ex-Assistant, Psychologist and Special Agent Testified in Sean Combs's Case." The Washington Post, 21 May 2025, Finn, Natalie. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial: Usher, Michael B. Jordan and More Celebrities Who Have Been Mentioned in Court." E! Online, 20 May 2025, Jacobs, Shayna. "Witnesses Testify on Cassie Ventura, Freak-Offs and Combs's Star Island Mansion Raid." The Washington Post, 20 May 2025, Landrum Jr., Jonathan. "Diddy Faces Public Scrutiny over Alleged Sex Crimes as Questions Arise about Future of His Music." The Associated Press, 21 Sept. 2024, Reiss, Adam, and Marlene Lenthang. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial Recap: Agent Testifies about Drugs, Guns and Sex Supplies Found in Miami Home." NBC News, 21 May 2025, Ryan, Patrick, et al. "Diddy Trial Recap: Cassie's Mom Said She Wired Diddy $20K, Was Sick over Alleged Threats." USA TODAY, Accessed 21 May 2025. Schnitzer, Kyle, Jack Morphet, Priscilla DeGregory, and Matt Troutman. "Diddy Took Drugs 'every Day' Including Obama-Shaped Ecstasy Pills, Ex-Assistant Says." New York Post, 20 May 2025, Schnitzer, Kyle, Jack Morphet, Priscilla DeGregory, and Kaydi Pelletier. "Diddy Trial: Live Updates from May 20." New York Post, 20 May 2025, Sisario, Ben, and Julia Jacobs. "Cassie's Mother Testifies at Sean Combs's Trial About Bruises and a Payment." The New York Times, 20 May 2025, ---. "Drugs, Sex, Baby Oil: The 'Freak-Offs' at the Core of Sean Combs's Troubles." The New York Times, 22 Sept. 2024,
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Diddy ‘wore disguise as he directed sick freak-offs featuring Cassie & male dancer the Punisher' who wrote BOOK about it
It comes as an A-list rapper is set to take the stand later this week DERANGED DEMANDS Diddy 'wore disguise as he directed sick freak-offs featuring Cassie & male dancer the Punisher' who wrote BOOK about it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EXOTIC dancer who calls himself The Punisher testified that Sean "Diddy" Combs wore creepy disguises while he directed the depraved drug-fueled sex sessions he called "freak-offs." The Punisher, real name Sharay Hayes, said his dozen encounters with Combs and his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura inspired a chapter in his book where he described them as a "married, wealthy couple." Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Sharay Hayes, known as The Punisher, arriving to court to testify against Combs on Tuesday Credit: Reuters 3 Federal investigators took baby oil from Sean Combs' hotel room when they raided it after his arrest in September 2024 Credit: Department of Justice 3 Combs listens as his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura testifies at his sex trafficking trial last week Credit: Reuters Hayes, 51, is a male exotic dancer who was paid at least $1,200 per session to have sex with Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, while Combs watched on eight to 12 occasions from 2012 to 2016. He took the stand in Combs' federal sex trafficking trial on Tuesday to recount his experiences with Cassie, who defense attorneys are trying to paint as a willing participant in Combs' "freak-offs." Hayes said he was first called to the "freak-off" under the guise that he was performing for a group of friends - but was taken aback when he found only Cassie and Combs in the New York City hotel room. The Punisher, who said he was given his stage name as a teen on the basketball court, said he didn't recognize Combs during the first "sexy scene" because he was naked and wearing a face covering. Hayes testified only Combs' eyes were showing out of his disguise, but that Cassie told him not to acknowledge Combs as he watched them cover themselves in baby oil and have sex. As the sessions continued until 2016, Hayes told jurors he eventually saw Combs' face once he switched his disguise to a baseball cap, leading him to recognize him as the hip hop mogul. Hayes testified that he didn't have any feelings for Cassie and that he never suspected she was being forced into the "freak-offs." 'I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on,' Hayes testified. The Punisher said on the stand that he recently wrote and published a self-help book, which includes six pages about the "freak-offs." "I sensationalize it. I wanted it to be enjoyable," he testified. It comes as… Sean Combs' former personal assistant David James testified Combs took drugs "every day" from his "med bag" which sometimes contained Obama-shaped ecstasy pills and Viagra Cassie Ventura's mom Regina testified that Combs demanded she pay him $20k in exchange for a sex tape of her daughter Kid Cudi is set to take the stand later this week Cassie spent four days on the stand last week testifying about drug-fueled sex marathons called "freak-offs" that Combs is accused of forcing her to participate in Cassie sobbed as she testified that Combs beat her and forced male escorts to urinate on her during the sick sessions Her husband, Alex Fine, broke his silence with an emotional statement after Cassie left the stand Dawn Richard testified on Monday that Combs threatened her life to keep her quiet after she saw him beat Cassie in 2009 Combs' attorneys have insisted that while Combs might be guilty of domestic violence against Cassie, he's not guilty of any of the charges against him, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all charges as prosecutors continue to paint him as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise. He has denied all allegations against him and insists he's only engaged in consensual sex. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673). Read our Diddy trial live blog for the latest updates...
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs ‘popped Barack Obama-shaped drugs'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs allegedly popped Barack Obama-shaped drugs, The 55-year-old music mogul is on trial in New York on federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution – all of which he denies – and faced the pills allegation during another day of testimony during his court proceedings on Tuesday. (20.05.25) AS well as making the Obama drugs allegation, Combs' former personal assistant told the court the rapper kept a Louis Vuitton pouch of pills by his side at all times during the height of his career. David James told jurors about Combs' alleged drug use: 'There were various pills but one was in the form of a former president's face. 'They were Obama-shaped ecstasy pills.' David, 45, worked for Combs between 2007 and 2009 and told the court his duties included booking hotel rooms under the name 'Frank Black' – a pseudonym Combs apparently used for both travel and prescriptions. He testified he stocked his boss' rooms with applesauce, Jello, Fiji water and Ciroc vodka. Inside the toiletry bag – referred to as a 'med bag' by previous witnesses Cassie Ventura and Dawn Richard – David said he regularly found pills including Viagra, Percocet, weight loss pills, water pills and what he described as 'sperm booster' pills. 'He took drugs every day,' David added. He also admitted he occasionally joined in on the partying, describing his experience drinking Ciroc and taking ecstasy as 'Diddy-bopping'. The assistant also told jurors Combs kept a video of him dancing at a party, which he described as 'embarrassing', suggesting it might be used 'in case he ever needs it'. Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, 37, who dated the rapper for a decade, last week testified 'Frank Black' was the name Combs used during what he called 'freak-offs' – drug-fuelled sex marathons allegedly involving hired escorts and coercion. Cassie testified Combs forced her to take part in these encounters weekly for years, often using up to ten bottles of baby oil during each session. The jury were shown photos of the raided hotel room on Friday (16.05.25), which were released to the public on Monday (19.05.25) as the second week of the trial commenced. That same day, jurors were presented with graphic images of injuries Cassie claimed she sustained at Combs' hands.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Diddy ‘has chilling alter ego called Frank Black and demanded Obama-shaped pills and sperm boosters for freak-offs'
Cassie Ventura's mom testified that Combs forced her to pay him $20k in exchange for a sex tape of her daughter SICK REQUESTS Diddy 'has chilling alter ego called Frank Black and demanded Obama-shaped pills and sperm boosters for freak-offs' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEAN "Diddy" Combs took drugs including Obama-shaped ecstasy pills and Viagra every day for years, his ex-personal assistant testified at the disgraced music mogul's federal sex trafficking trial. Combs carried a designer bag of 30 pill bottles around with him, some of which were allegedly prescribed to his alter ego name Frank Black, according to witness David James. 6 Pink cocaine and prescription pills cops found in Diddy's hotel room when they raided it in September 2024 Credit: Department of Justice 6 David James, a former assistant for Sean Combs, arriving at the courthouse in Manhattan to testify against his former boss on Tuesday Credit: Reuters 6 A bottle of Clonazepam prescribed to Frank Black, Combs' alter ego, was found in the Combs' hotel room after he was arrested in September Credit: Department of Justice 6 Federal investigators also took baby oil from Sean Combs' hotel room after the raid Credit: Department of Justice 6 Combs met with former President Barack Obama in 2017 Credit: Facebook/Diddy 6 Combs listens as his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura testifies at his sex trafficking trial last week Credit: Reuters James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, took the stand for the second day on Tuesday to testify against his former boss. He told jurors part of his job was to book hotel rooms for Combs under the alias "Frank Black," which he stocked with food, drinks, and toiletries. James testified that Combs kept various pill bottles in his toiletry bag, a Louis Vuitton pouch that previous witnesses Cassie Ventura and Dawn Richard both testified that Combs called his "med bag." Combs kept pills including Viagra, weight loss pills, Percocet, ecstasy, water pills, and "sperm booster" pills in the bag, which James testified he kept by his side at all times. 'There were various pills but one was in the form of a former president's face,' James told jurors, then clarified that the ecstasy pills were shaped like former President Barack Obama, whom Combs met on multiple occasions. James testified that Combs took drugs "every day." The former assistant also said he was asked to fill Combs' hotel rooms with applesauce, Jello, Fiji water, and Ciroc vodka. He admitted he sometimes joined in on the partying by drinking Ciroc vodka and taking ecstasy, which he called "Diddy-bopping." He testified that Combs once kept an "embarrassing" video of him dancing at a party "in case he ever needs it." It comes as… Cassie Ventura spent four days on the stand last week testifying about drug-fueled sex marathons called "freak-offs" that Sean Combs is accused of forcing her to participate in Cassie sobbed as she testified that Combs beat her and forced male escorts to urinate on her during the sick sessions Her husband, Alex Fine, broke his silence with an emotional statement after Cassie left the stand Dawn Richard testified on Monday that Combs threatened her after she saw him beat Cassie in 2009 Former hotel security guard Israel Florez testified last Monday about being offered cash after Combs attacked Cassie in 2016 Male escort Daniel Phillip took the stand to speak about how he was paid to have sex with Cassie in front of Combs Combs turned down a plea deal days before jury selection got underway Boy band B5, which Combs signed when they were all under 14, told The U.S. Sun they saw terrifying signs of his aggression when they were just teenagers Combs' $61.5 million mansion, where feds seized 1,000 bottles of baby oil, lies silent in the high-end Los Angeles neighborhood he once called home Federal investigators found baby oil, lubricant, ecstasy, pink cocaine, and candy when they raided Combs' hotel room in New York City after he was arrested in September. They discovered pills prescribed to Frank Black, which is also the alias Combs used during drug-fueled sex marathons he called "freak-offs," Cassie testified last week. Combs used nearly 10 bottles of baby oil for every "freak-off," which he allegedly forced Cassie to participate in weekly for years as he watched her have sex with male escorts, Cassie testified. The pictures of the sordid hotel room, which the jury on Combs' federal sex trafficking trial were shown on Friday, were released to the public on Monday as week two of his trial got underway. Jurors also saw graphic images of Cassie's gruesome injuries she suffered at the hands of Combs, her ex-boyfriend of 10 years, who is standing trial for five criminal counts. Regina Ventura, Cassie's mom, took the stand on Tuesday to testify against Combs. She accused Combs of blackmailing Cassie for $20,000 in exchange for a "freak-off" video after he threatened to release it when he found out she was dating rapper Kid Cudi in 2011. Regina testified she had to take out a loan to get the money to Combs. Combs' attorneys have insisted that while Combs might be guilty of domestic violence, he's not guilty of any of the charges against him, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all charges as prosecutors continue to paint him as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise. He has denied all allegations against him and insists he's only engaged in consensual sex. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673). Read our Diddy trial live blog for the latest updates...
New York Post
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs took drugs ‘every day' including Obama-shaped ecstasy pills, ex-assistant says
Sean 'Diddy' Combs took drugs 'every day' including sometimes taking Obama-shaped ecstasy pills, according to an ex-personal assistant. 'There were various pills but one was in the form of a former president's face,' Combs' one-time personal assistant David James said of the types of ecstasy pills he saw his boss take. 'Which former president?' prosecutor Christy Slavik asked. 'President Obama,' James responded. James said the fallen music producer received his drug haul from a dealer named 'One-Stop.' And when asked how frequently he saw Combs take drugs, James said: 'I'd say every day.' James said Combs took Percocet during the day and assumed he was high on the drug during business meetings.
