Inside Diddy's Federal Sex-Trafficking Trial
23:15 Share

It's Thursday, May 22nd. I'm Jane Koston, and this is What A Day, the show asking if Elon Musk knows what it means to step away from politics. Sure, he said he'd back off from political funding, but he was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, and President Donald Trump said he was behind the AfriConners refugee plan. I don't want to get Elon involved. That's all I have to do, get him into another thing. But Elon happens to be from South Africa. This is what Elon wanted.

This is what Elon wanted. Maybe step away means something different for chainsaw enthusiasts. On today's show, President Donald Trump, I mean, excuse me, I need to correct myself. The United States government officially accepts a $400 million Qatari Boeing 747. And Trump lectures the president of South Africa with fake news about a white genocide in South Africa.

But first, we're taking a break from the literal and figurative hot mess that is our nation's capital and the knuckleheads running the government to talk about the federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean Combs, a.k.a. Diddy. And a warning to our listeners. We're going to talk a lot about sex, abuse and violence in this episode. Some people might find the subject difficult, or if you've got kids around you, maybe this isn't the best time to listen.

If you're of a certain age, as in you remember watching TRL on MTV, the music mogul and producer was a kind of inescapable phenomenon during some really formative years of your music listening habits. He showed up in music videos. He was the host of the reality show Making the Band about creating a boy band and then a girl band. He had a clothing line, Sean John. His label, Bad Boy Records, helped launch the careers of iconic names in hip hop and R&B like Janelle Monae, Mary J. Blige, Usher, and Notorious B.I.G.,

Heck, we even heard about his celebrity-strewn white parties. And now he faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.

Federal prosecutors allege Diddy, quote, abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct. They also say he created a, quote, criminal enterprise through his business empire in order to make that possible. It's a big case. The judge overseeing it says the trial could take eight weeks. We're at the tail end of week two of testimony, which means there's still a long way to go and a lot of evidence still to come.

On Wednesday, jurors heard from Diddy's former assistant, who described obtaining drugs for the rap producer. They also heard from a psychologist who discussed the impact of domestic violence and sexual abuse on victims. That tied into earlier testimony from the singer Cassandra Ventura, Diddy's former longtime girlfriend, who alleged in detailed graphic testimony the ways she says Diddy was both sexually and physically abusive.

This isn't just a story about celebrity. It's about the wielding of power and fame as a cudgel, one aimed particularly at young women. So to discuss the Diddy trial further, I talked to Anne Branigan, staff writer for the Washington Post style section. She's been covering the trial from the Manhattan courthouse where it's taking place. Anne, welcome to What Today. Hi, thank you for having me. So this trial is about to wrap up its second week of testimony. What's the mood been like in the courthouse?

The mood has been pretty intense, and we're going through a lot of witnesses very quickly. There hasn't been a boring day so far in this trial, which is pretty, I think, incredible. Yeah, no, having covered legal proceedings before, that's kind of surprising. Now, the primary witness in this case is a singer, Cassandra Ventura, better known as Cassie. She dated Combs for about a decade, and her testimony about the alleged abuse Diddy inflicted on her was...

Right. Well, we got her testimony very early in the trial, which is kind of unusual to have a star witness go so early when, you know, the side is presenting their case, in this case, the government, right? Yeah.

But she was very pregnant, which is part of the reason why she took the stand so early. And so we really saw her lay out their 11-year relationship, going from meeting Sean Combs and how enamored she was with him and the lifestyle that he was introducing her to. You know, she talked about the honeymoon period at the beginning of the relationship, but she also delved into, in quite graphic detail, the

some of the things that would come later. And so she alleges that she was forced to participate in freak-offs. And these are the sex parties that have been talked about a lot at this point. You know, we first heard about them in the lawsuit that she filed in 2023. And she also detailed a lot of the physical abuse that she says she experienced at the hands of Sean Combs. How did Diddy's defense team try to poke holes in her testimony?

Mainly through text messages. So as you can imagine, over the course of an 11-year off-and-on relationship, there were a lot of messages exchanged between these two. And they really homed in on a few messages, you know, ones where Sean Combs appeared to be kind of deferring to Cassie Ventura in terms of,

kind of following her lead on whether she wanted to do a freak off that evening or that week. There were texts that they shared in which she expressed how much she enjoyed them, right? And to be clear, just to place us in time, these are texts that she sent when she would have been about 22, 23. So well over a decade ago at this point. So that's been the defense's

kind of tactic in terms of chipping away a really essential part of this story, which is the idea that there was force and coercion. And without getting into too much graphic detail, can you tell us more about these freak-offs and how the prosecution says they play into this case? Well, baby oil has been mentioned just about every day of this trial so far.

So what we know about the freak-offs is that these were held in hotels, that they involved Cassie Ventura, some other alleged female victims from whom we will hear later on in the trial, and that they typically involved a male escort, right, who would participate specifically with the woman while Sean Combs would watch in a corner.

And the important detail here, the prosecution believes, is how much he directed these events and how they were really tailored to his preferences. So that's where the baby oil comes in. He apparently would, with regularity, tell them to slather more and more baby oil on themselves.

He was very involved in terms of the lighting of these rooms. You know, he had very specific demands in terms of snacks and drugs provided. So that's what the prosecution is laying out to kind of corroborate the argument that Combs is really driving these sex acts.

And there was also video footage from a hotel security camera played in court. CNN had obtained and aired the video last year. It is horrifying. It shows Diddy grab, shove, drag, and kick Cassie while they were at a hotel in 2016. That seems to be especially damning in so many ways, but the case isn't specifically about abuse. It's about sex trafficking and racketeering. So how has the government been making its case for those charges that are bigger in scope than...

domestic violence and sex acts. I'm so glad you brought that up, right? Because that's a big part of what the defense's position is, right? They are not dodging the fact that physical abuse happened. They are not dodging the fact that Combs did assault Cassie in the hotel that day. But their line is that this is not a domestic violence trial. It is, as you said, a sex trafficking and racketeering trial.

So essential to the sex trafficking charge is trying to establish that you took part in a commercial sex act.

under force, fraud, or coercion. And so that's why we see the emphasis on physical abuse, right? And why we have other witnesses corroborating the fact that Sean Combs was violent, that he would get violent with little provocation. It's because they want to establish that these are the reasons why Cassie Ventura might have participated in sex acts that she did not actually want to participate in.

And would be texting in a way that might seem like she was into it, but she may have been coerced into doing so and feel frightened. Exactly. And another element that comes up, too, is the fact that these acts were videotaped. And something that she said in her testimony was that that would be used as sort of leverage against her, as blackmail, so that if she left him, he would threaten to release those videos later.

Something that also came up is the amount of financial control he had over her. And that's not just in the fact that he...

owned and, you know, paid the rent on her homes, but that Combs was her boss, right? She was a bad boy artist and bad boy is the label that he founded. And so her career was really in his hands. And so those are the things that the prosecution has stressed in order to try to make those connections. Cassie wrapped her testimony on Friday. Who are some of the other notable witnesses we've seen at this point in the trial?

We have seen some very colorful testimony, I'll say. So we've heard from law enforcement agents. We've heard from a couple of the men who participated in these sex acts. You know, a male exotic dancer who goes by the nickname The Punisher. And yes. Okay. We also heard from Cassie Ventura's mother who shared...

to me some really striking testimony about how combs demanded 20 000 from her because he said that was money he spent on cassie ventura and he wanted to be reimbursed because she had been with another man

Yeah, I read a little bit about that testimony. And, you know, the person she had been with was the rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mascuti, who's expected to testify today. He briefly dated Cassie while she was involved with Diddy and his car exploded after, he alleges, a heated argument with Combs in which Combs threatened to blow up his car. What can we expect from his testimony?

So he's definitely going to be asked about that event because it's mentioned in the federal indictment. You know, part of the racketeering charge is arson and arson relates directly back to that very specific act of his car exploding. So he won't be on the stand for very long today because they have a lengthy list of witnesses that they want to get through before the Memorial Day weekend break.

But we can definitely expect him to give us some more detail about what happened there.

As someone who's been catching updates on TV and in the news, the evidence presented so far would seem to be especially damning for Diddy, one of the most influential people in the music industry. I was talking to one of my colleagues about how, like, if you're around our age, there was a period of us being teenagers where, like, he was kind of inescapable, like, either through his fashion or his music or just, like, being a famous person. Even if he's acquitted of these charges, what kind of reputational damage has this trial inflicted?

I've been thinking about that a lot because, you know, the jury has a job of looking at this very sort of narrow and specific scope of alleged crimes of behavior. But this has fundamentally, I think, reshaped his legacy in a way that I think we're still going to be reckoning with once the trial is done, no matter what the outcome is, right? We know...

a lot about this man now that we perhaps did not want to know. And I mean, like you, you know, his music was a big part of my childhood. And maybe it's because the news is everywhere right now. Maybe it's because the level of detail that we know. But it's hard to listen to that music now without thinking about some of these things. Anne, thank you so much for joining me. Thank you for having me. I really appreciate it.

That was my conversation with Anne Branigan, who's been covering Diddy's trial for The Washington Post. We'll link to her coverage in our show notes. We'll get to more of the news in a moment, but if you like the show, make sure to subscribe, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, watch us on YouTube, and share with your friends. More to come after some ads.

Water Day is brought to you by Nutrafol. Hot days, humid nights, and nonstop plans, all that heat can increase hair shedding, while a packed schedule can add stress, which can impact your hair. Nutrafol's whole body approach and clinically tested formulas support your hair from within, so you can focus on living your best life all summer long.

You may have heard of Nutrafol's hair growth supplements and wondered, do they actually work? It's a fair question. Many hair supplements overpromise and underdeliver. But Nutrafol is different. As the number one dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand, it's trusted by over 1.5 million people and is clinically tested to deliver real results in just three to six months.

Everyone's root causes of hair thinning are different, so a one-size-fits-all approach to hair growth doesn't cut it. Nutrafol has multiple formulas designed to give your body what it needs to grow and support your hair's unique needs. Whether you're navigating postpartum, menopause, a plant-based lifestyle, or simply looking to see less hair shedding, Nutrafol has you covered.

And while many supplements rely solely on ingredient studies, Nutrafol clinically tests its final formulations using advanced hair measurement tools like hair counts and pull tests to track real improvements in growth, quality, shedding, and texture. And it's not just backed by studies. Their research is published in peer-reviewed journals and vetted by doctors, ensuring scientific rigor and reliable results.

This summer, stop worrying about your hair and start making memories. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code DAY. Find out why Nutrafol is the best-selling hair growth supplement brand at Nutrafol.com, spelled N-U-T-R-A-F-O-L.com, promo code DAY. That's Nutrafol.com, promo code DAY.

But for those who don't clear the virus,

It can cause certain cancers later in life. Embrace this phase. Help protect them in the next. Ask their doctor today about HPV vaccination. Brought to you by Merck. Summer on the south side of Chicago is heating up. You planning revenge? Aren't you? This Chi is back on Paramount+.

It's the season of the women. Women, this is our chance. It's time to get to work. But the men aren't giving up without a fight. The tree's always going to have a villain. No one is backing down in the Showtime original series from Emmy Award winner Lena Waithe. Why do black women always have to save the day? If we don't do it, who else will? The Chi, new season now streaming on the Paramount Plus with Showtime Plan. Here's what else we're following today. Headlines.

What a group of golfers South Africa's had. Yes, yes. There must be something in the water, right? Something good. These two guys are unbelievable. It's the water. The water. President Donald Trump met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office on Wednesday. After the two initially exchanged pleasantries and discussed golf, Ramaphosa brought two South African golf legends to the meeting. Smart.

President Trump moved on to another favorite topic of his, misinformation. Look, these are articles over the last few days. Death of people. Death, death, death.

- Horrible death. White South Africans are fleeing because of the violence and racist laws. - More specifically, Trump harped on the idea that there is a so-called white genocide happening in South Africa. This is false. A South African judge dismissed this in February as non-existent.

Just weeks earlier, President Trump issued an executive action allowing Afrikaners to resettle in the U.S. So far, 59 white Afrikaners have arrived in the U.S. as refugees. When a reporter from NBC News asked why it was appropriate for the United States to take in white Afrikaner refugees when other groups like Afghans, Venezuelans, and Haitians have had their protective status revoked, Trump called the network truly fake news. Later on in the meeting, he called for an investigation into NBC's parent company, Comcast.

Free speech is alive and well in the Trump White House. At another point during the meeting, the lights in the Oval Office dimmed as Trump played a video purporting to show violence against white Afrikaners and mass burial sites for white farmers. President Ramaphosa wondered aloud where exactly the mass graves were located. Those people were all killed. Have they told you where that is, Mr. President? No. I'd like to know where that is, because this I've never seen.

After pausing, Trump answered, it's in South Africa. But according to Behrens, one of the photos depicted a grave located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is a different country.

The Trump administration received another judicial rebuke Wednesday. Another one! U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy in Boston called an emergency meeting to discuss reports that immigrants were being sent to South Sudan in violation of a previous court order. Judge Murphy cited that the previous order barred immigrants from being deported to countries they're not from without a meaningful opportunity to object on the basis of safety. He warned everyone involved in an illegal deportation risks criminal contempt.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, South Sudan is suffering from one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Department of Homeland Security officials said eight immigrants were deported Tuesday. They claim that the migrants, who are from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam, and South Sudan, are criminals. During a press briefing Wednesday, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin slammed what she calls activist judges. It is absolutely absurd for a district judge to try to dictate the foreign policy and national security of the United States of America.

Well, I think it's absolutely absurd for the United States government to send Laotians and Mexicans to South Sudan. So agree to disagree, Trish. Anyway, McLaughlin would not confirm a final destination for the migrants. Thank you so much. And thank you so much for the moment of silence and the kind words of remembrance on behalf of our dear colleague, Jerry Connolly. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries paid homage to his late colleague, Democratic Representative Jerry Connolly.

Connelly had represented Virginia's 11th district since 2009. He died on Wednesday after battling esophageal cancer. He was 75.

Connolly was widely known for his fiery spirit, along with his business and infrastructure efforts in Northern Virginia. Over the course of his career, Connolly expanded the Metro's silver line from the D.C. suburbs to Dulles Airport. Here he is during its opening ceremony 10 years ago. This is going to transform this corridor into something a lot more livable, a lot more environmentally friendly, a lot more commercially successful, and it's going to make a difference to generations. Late last year, Connolly announced his illness and said he would fight his disease.

In April, however, he announced that his treatment had been unsuccessful, that he would not seek re-election in 2026, and that he would step down from his leadership position on the House Oversight Committee. Last December, one month after announcing his cancer, Connolly beat out Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to become the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee. Connolly's death is the third of a Democratic lawmaker since November's elections.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar on Wednesday, which is a weird thing to say, right? In a statement, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said the secretary complied with all federal rules and regulations in accepting the jet. Parnell also said that the Department of Defense will make sure it's safe for a president of the United States to fly in to transport the president.

Some Republicans and Democrats alike have criticized the gift, saying accepting it violates the Constitution. But President Trump has continued to defend the gift, because of course he has. In a Truth Social post last week, Trump said, "...why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars when they can get it for free?" Ah yes, there's the businessman we know. And taxpayers will be paying to refurbish the plane, so really it's only free for one person.

Trump was asked about the jet during his Oval Office meeting with South African President Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa piped in. I'm sorry, I don't have a plane to give you. I wish you did. If your country offered the United States Air Force a plane, I would take it. Of course you would. Shocking, but not surprising. And that's the news.

Before we go, Project 2025 is no longer a warning. It's a reality. Four months into Trump's second term, Republicans have already begun executing their 900-plus page plan to transform America into a Christian nationalist state. We're seeing it in real time. A tax on bodily autonomy, the targeting of immigrants, the erasure of history, and cuts to programs millions rely on.

On today's episode of Assembly Required, Stacey Abrams sits down with Atlantic staff writer David A. Graham, author of The Project, How Project 2025 is Reshaping America, to unpack the radical ideology and what we can do to fight back before it's too late. Tune in to this important episode of Assembly Required on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

That's all for today. If you like the show, make sure you subscribe, leave a review, let me be the liberal Joe Rogan, and tell your friends to listen. And if you're into reading and not just about how seriously I also can fill three hours with MMA, World War II, and discussions about aliens, like me, What Today is also a nightly newsletter. Check it out and subscribe at cricket.com slash subscribe. I'm Jane Koston. And alternatively, we could come up with additional ideas besides that one.

Water Day is a production of Crooked Media. It's recorded and mixed by Desmond Taylor. Our associate producers are Raven Yamamoto and Emily Fore. Our producer is Michelle Alloy. We had production help today from Johanna Case, Joseph Dutra, Greg Walters, and Julia Clare. Our senior producer is Erica Morrison, and our executive producer is Adrienne Hill. Our theme music is by Colin Gillyard and Kashaka. Our production staff is proudly unionized with the Writers Guild of America East.

Welcome back to Listen to Your Heart. I'm Jerry. And I'm Jerry's heart. Today's topic, Repatha, Evalokimab. Heart, why'd you pick this one? Well, Jerry, for people who have had a heart attack, like us, diet and exercise might not be enough to lower the risk of another one. Okay. To help know if we're at risk, we should be getting our LDL-C, our bad cholesterol, checked, and talking to our doctor. I'm listening. And if it's still too high, Repatha can be added to a statin to lower our LDL-C and our heart attack risk.

Hmm, guess it's time to ask about Ravaba.

Do not take Repatha if you're allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions can occur. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or arms. Common side effects include runny nose, sore throat, common cold symptoms, flu or flu-like symptoms, back pain, high blood sugar, and redness, pain, or bruising at the injection site. Listen to your heart. Ask your doctor about Repatha. Learn more at Repatha.com or call 1-844-REPATHA.

But for those who don't clear the virus,

It can cause certain cancers later in life. Embrace this phase. Help protect them in the next. Ask their doctor today about HPV vaccination. Brought to you by Merck.