Latest news with #RAINN
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bill Maher Blames Diddy Accuser For Not Coming Forward Sooner
'Real Time' host Bill Maher weighed in on the ongoing trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who stands indicted on federal charges including sex trafficking, and the comedian appeared to blame Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura for the abuse she allegedly suffered at his hands. 'We need to keep two thoughts in our head at the same time,' Maher said Friday on his show. 'One, Diddy is a bad dude — really bad. Like, the worst thing in rap since Hammer pants. A violent, sick fuck ... and we should lock him up and throw away the baby oil.' 'And two, things have changed enough so that moving forward, the rule should be, if you're being abused, you gotta leave right away,' he continued. 'Now, I completely understand why, in the past, women often did not do that.' Maher went on to argue that victims had little recourse prior to the #MeToo movement that emerged in the last decade and helped women expose their abusers, but suggested that victims who don't immediately speak out in today's age are at fault for sowing public mistrust. Ventura started dating Combs in 2007— notably before the #MeToo movement began —and she accused him in 2023 of repeated physical and sexual abuse that began gradually and grew worse over the course of their relationship. 'It's not victim-shaming to expect women to have the agency to leave toxic relationships,' Maher said on Friday. 'Quite the contrary, to not expect that is infantilizing,' he continued. 'If Diddy walks free, it will be because his lawyers can point to an endless stream of texts from Cassie expressing what's often called 'enthusiastic consent.'' A graphic on the screen next to Maher showed text messages from Ventura presented at trial in which she wrote, 'I'm always ready to freak off.' Combs' so-called 'freak offs' were orgies he allegedly organized, and he's accused of drugging Ventura and others before the events. Domestic violence victims often don't speak up publicly, or simply leave their abusers, out of warranted fear of retribution. While Maher claimed to 'understand' why it 'can be difficult for women to leave an abusive relationship,' his comments suggested he did not. 'This should be society's new grand bargain,' he said. 'We take every accusation seriously, but don't tell me anymore about your contemporaneous account that you said to two friends 10 years ago. Tell the police right away. Don't wait a decade. Don't journal about it.' 'Don't turn it into a one-woman show,' he added. 'And most importantly, don't keep fucking him. Your only contemporaneous notes about what he did should be the police report.' Ventura, who was shown in security footage released last year being brutally beaten by Combs, testified in court that she endured 'violent arguments that would usually result in some sort of physical abuse' — and that his security guards 'protected him' but 'kept an eye on me.' Representatives for Maher did not immediately respond to HuffPost's request for comment. Need help? Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website. Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Mistrial Request Is Immediately Rejected Cassie Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Husband Alex Fine Weeks After Diddy Trial Testimony 'Marvel Supervillain': Kid Cudi Describes Meeting With Diddy After Molotov Cocktail Hit His Porsche
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged sexual abuse exposed in emotional testimony
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged sexual abuse exposed in emotional testimony This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged pattern of sexual and physical abuse is coming into focus as more of the hip-hop mogul's former associates speak out during his criminal trial. After harrowing testimony from Combs' ex-assistant, a woman going by the pseudonym "Mia," prosecutors returned to court on May 30 to continue building their case against the Grammy-winning rapper in his sweeping federal sex-crimes case. During her May 29 testimony, Mia was emotional, slow and considered in her responses. Her voice often cracked as she teared up while alleging Combs attacked her and his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura Fine multiple times. "He's thrown things at me. He's thrown me against the wall. He's thrown me into a pool," she said. Mia's testimony followed similar allegations from Deonte Nash, a friend and stylist of Ventura Fine, who claimed Combs tried to control all aspects of Cassie's life during their decadelong relationship. Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Why is Diddy on trial? Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all five counts against him. What is racketeering? Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. Where can I watch the Diddy trial? The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Diddy trial updates: Capricorn Clark delivered tearful, harrowing testimony on the stand
Diddy trial updates: Capricorn Clark delivered tearful, harrowing testimony on the stand This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. As Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex-crimes trial kicks off its third week with more harrowing testimony, the jury heard from the mogul's former assistant, Capricorn Clark. On the stand May 27, Clark alleged through tears that the hip-hop mogul kidnapped her and threatened to kill her multiple times while she worked for him. Clark testified that she was once held against her will for five days after several pieces of jewelry went missing at the rapper's home. She said she was "petrified" and forced to take polygraph tests over and over again. Clark worked for Combs between 2004 and 2012. Kid Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, was also brought up in court on May 27, as Clark described Combs rushing to the rapper's Los Angeles home with a gun after learning he was dating Cassie Ventura Fine. "I'd never seen anything like this before," Clark told jurors, choking up as she described Combs allegedly breaking into Mescudi's home in a rage. Later on Tuesday, Marc Agnifilo, one of Combs' defense attorneys, zeroed in on Clark's testimony about the confrontation at Cudi's home during his cross-examination. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. What charges is Diddy facing? Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts. What is racketeering? Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. Where can I watch the Diddy trial? The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cassie alleges Diddy assaulted and threatened her over Kid Cudi relationship
Kid Cudi's relationship with Sean "Diddy" Combs' former girlfriend Cassie took center stage during Combs' ongoing criminal trial. Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine, who serves as one of the government's key witnesses in Combs' federal sex-crimes case, testified in Manhattan court on May 14 that her romance with Cudi (real name: Scott Mescudi) angered Combs and sparked a violent outburst. Cudi was first mentioned in Ventura Fine's bombshell 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs, with Cassie citing an alleged incident in which Combs threatened to "blow up" the rapper's vehicle, seemingly in retaliation for his relationship with Ventura Fine. Ventura Fine, who'd been dating the hip-mogul since she was 19, said in court that she began seeing Cudi in 2011 after their professional relationship turned romantic. She did not disclose the relationship to Combs at the time. During a "freak off" — a type of party featuring sexual performances that Combs has been accused of orchestrating — Combs discovered Ventura Fine's relationship with Cudi after going through her phone and seeing emails between Cassie and Combs' assistant, Capricorn Clark, that detailed plans to bring Ventura Fine's toiletry bag to Cudi's house the following day. Per Ventura Fine's account, Combs became angry and lunged at Cassie with a wine bottle opener between his fingers, but she said she managed to escape and went to another hotel, where she contacted Cudi using a burner phone. During a conversation with Combs following the alleged incident, Ventura Fine testified she wanted to "resolve" the conflict, but the rapper was "irate, so angry." She added that Combs threatened that he was "going to hurt Scott and I," including releasing explicit "freak off" videos that featured her. While exiting Combs' home, Ventura Fine said Combs kicked her in the back, causing her to fall to the floor. She claimed she sustained a "large bruise" as a result of Combs' violence. Additionally, when she returned to her hotel room, Cassie said she found urine on the floor, knocked over furniture and a toilet full of excrement. The court was shown large photos of the bruises Ventura Fine had on her lower back and thigh, taken not long after the alleged incident. Diddy on Trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom with USA TODAY as Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces sex crimes and trafficking charges. Subscribe to the newsletter If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: (4673) and and en Español Contributing: Patrick Ryan, KiMi Robinson and Jay Stahl, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cassie, Kid Cudi: Singer says relationship angered Diddy
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged violence recalled as more witnesses testify
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged violence recalled as more witnesses testify This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged streak of violent behavior is coming to light as additional witnesses testify in the hip-hop mogul's criminal trial. Attorneys for the Grammy-winning rapper, prosecutors and jurors returned to Manhattan court on May 27 in the fourth week of proceedings in the federal sex-crimes case. This comes after a slew of witnesses, including Cassie Ventura Fine's mother Regina Ventura, Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard and rapper Kid Cudi, appeared in court last week to share harrowing accounts of Combs' alleged abuse. Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, dated Ventura Fine briefly in 2011. While taking the stand on May 22, he claimed Combs broke into his home and locked his dog in a bathroom — and that his vehicle blew up in another incident — after Combs found out he was seeing his estranged girlfriend. The incidents are just some of the violent acts prosecutors say Combs undertook during a 20-year scheme to coerce women, including Ventura Fine, to take part in drug-fueled sex parties known as "freak offs" and prevent them from leaving his orbit. Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors claim they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
