02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Rapper 50 Cent reacts to Diddy verdict comparing him to infamous mafia boss
After a two-month trial, Sean 'Diddy' Combs was cleared of racketeering and sex trafficking but found guilty of transporting someone for prostitution.
Rapper 50 Cent has finally spoken out following a dramatic jury verdict involving his longtime rival, music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
After nearly two months of federal trial in New York City, Diddy was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges but found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors had alleged that Combs used his celebrity status and sprawling business empire to run a criminal enterprise involved in sex trafficking and cover up his crimes.
The 12-member jury deliberated for 13 hours before clearing Diddy of three of the most serious charges he faced.
One of the first high-profile reactions came from 50 Cent, who took to social media to declare: 'Diddy beat the Feds that boy a bad man ! beat the Rico, he the Gay John Gotti @50centaction.'
The reference was to infamous mafia boss John Gotti, who orchestrated the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano before taking over the crime family, and died in 2002 from throat cancer.
Following the verdict, Judge Arun Subramanian praised the jurors in court, calling their service 'inspiring.'
He urged the media to respect their privacy, saying: 'Jurors, you can contact our chambers. You gave up a lot, these 10 weeks. It is inspiring. You worked together, rain or shine. You answered the call of public service, that should give us hope.'
Diddy's legal team has since requested he be released on bond ahead of sentencing, arguing that since he was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, he should be allowed to return home.
'This is his first conviction, and it is a prostitution offence. He should be released. His family is here and could sign a bond. He should be released today, to go back and live at Two Star Island,' his lawyer said.
The rivalry between Diddy and 50 Cent stretches back more than two decades.
In 2001, 50 Cent claimed to have ghostwritten Diddy's verse on G. Dep's 'Let's Get It,' and in 2002 he publicly name-checked Diddy for the first time on his track 'U Not Like Me,' rapping: 'Hoes be like '50, you so witty / On the d**k like they heard I ghostwrite for P. Diddy.'
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The pair even collaborated on a song that year, with 50 Cent taking a subtle jab at Combs.
Despite a brief thaw in 2018 when Diddy insisted there was no beef between them, saying: 'I don't have no beef with Fif. He loves me. Y'all can't see that he loves me? You really think that's hate? You know he loves me,' tensions have simmered ever since.
Since allegations against Diddy surfaced, 50 Cent has been outspoken. In December 2023, he revealed he was producing a documentary about the claims, with proceeds reportedly earmarked for sexual assault victims. He also announced that the documentary series had been sold to Netflix.
During the trial, 50 Cent posted videos of Diddy's past comments about former President Trump, seemingly to influence public opinion and prevent any potential pardon if Diddy were convicted.
