The federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is entering its dramatic final phase, with closing arguments set to begin Thursday in a case that has exposed the dark underside of one of hip-hop’s most iconic figures.
Combs, 55, is facing multiple serious charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, the most severe of those charges — racketeering — could see him sentenced to life in prison.
Over the past several weeks, jurors have listened to harrowing testimony from 34 witnesses, including former staffers, law enforcement officers, and two women — singer Casandra Ventura and a second woman identified as “Jane” — who allege that Combs subjected them to years of exploitation involving drugs, escorts, and coercive sex acts.
Prosecutors allege that Combs ran a criminal enterprise involving members of his inner circle, who helped him commit acts of arson, bribery, forced labor, and witness tampering. The government has presented reams of digital evidence — text messages, call logs, financial transactions — as well as testimony from a hotel security guard who claims he was paid $100,000 in cash to stay quiet.
Combs, who is currently in custody, chose not to testify in his own defense — a common legal strategy aimed at avoiding the risks of cross-examination. His attorneys have argued that his relationships with the alleged victims were entirely consensual and that many of the witnesses had ulterior motives, such as financial gain or personal vendettas.
The defense has pointed to messages that show warmth and affection between Combs and the women, challenging the prosecution’s narrative by arguing that the text exchanges reflect voluntary participation rather than coercion.
Jurors have also viewed video evidence from alleged sex parties, which prosecutors say were exploitative and criminal. The defense, however, maintains that the events depicted involved consenting adults.
Among the more high-profile moments in the trial was testimony from rapper Kid Cudi, who told the court that Combs’s associates firebombed his car — an incident cited by prosecutors as part of a broader pattern of intimidation.
The proceedings, which began in early May, have captivated public attention. With electronics banned inside the Manhattan courthouse, dozens of influencers and media figures have turned the courthouse steps into a stage, posting daily commentary and viral clips for online audiences.
Combs has not been seen entering or exiting the courthouse, but several celebrity witnesses and family members have drawn crowds as the case has played out.
Closing arguments are expected to conclude by Friday, after which the case will be handed to the jury — possibly as soon as Monday. The 12 jurors will then deliberate on whether Combs, once a towering figure in the music world, will spend his remaining years behind bars.
The verdict will mark a turning point in the career and legacy of a man who helped shape modern hip-hop, but now stands accused of exploiting the very power and influence that made him a star.
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