After weeks of intense testimony and shocking allegations, closing arguments wrapped in the high-profile federal trial of music mogul Sean Diddy Combs, and the jury is set to begin work on Monday. The trial, which has captivated the public and the entertainment industry alike, centers on accusations that Combs ran a criminal enterprise involving s*x trafficking and violence over a span of nearly two decades.
Sean Diddy Combs Trial Closing Arguments
Prosecutors painted a grim picture of Sean Diddy Combs, alleging he systematically manipulated and abused women for personal gratification. They told jurors that he used intimidation, coercion, and violence to pressure his ex-girlfriends into having s*x with male s*x workers, all while he directed and watched.
One prosecutor described Combs as a man who “never takes no for an answer,” listing a range of alleged crimes, including kidnapping, arson, bribery, and forced labor that they say define the enterprise he led.
The government even cited a 2012 incident where a car belonging to rapper Kid Cudi was allegedly firebombed, suggesting Combs orchestrated the attack. They also claimed he kidnapped an employee and broke into Cudi’s home out of jealousy when he found out the rapper was dating his then-girlfriend.
But Combs’ defense team pushed back hard. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo downplayed the government’s case, calling it an overreach and accusing prosecutors of trying to criminalize his client’s s*x life.
He argued that investigators targeted Combs not based on hard evidence but because of public pressure following a lawsuit by his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who settled for 20 million last year.
With sarcasm, Agnifilo mocked the FBI’s raids on Combs’ homes, where they reportedly seized boxes of personal lubricants.
“The streets are safer now they’ve got the Astroglide,” he quipped, suggesting the investigation lacked real substance.
Agnifilo argued that what the government framed as trafficking was in reality consensual, between adults. He warned jurors not to confuse discomfort with criminality, saying the prosecution had blurred the lines between private choices and legal violations.
The jury will begin deliberating Monday after the judge delivers legal instructions. The verdict could have massive implications for Combs’ legacy and the broader music industry.