Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy
For decades, Sean "Diddy" Combs was among the most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs in hip-hop. But Diddy’s star began to implode when a video came out showing the music mogul assaulting his then-girlfriend. There had long been whispers about Diddy's aggression. But critics say his influence and relevance kept the rumors quiet. Until now. A raft of new lawsuits detail shocking allegations of sexual abuse and manipulation orchestrated in so-called "freak offs" -- sex parties Diddy allegedly ordered, videotaped and controlled. Diddy now faces federal charges that include sex trafficking. He has denied all wrongdoing and said all encounters were consensual. A new podcast from 20/20 and ABC Audio traces how whispers of abuse came to light and led to Diddy’s downfall. ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire takes listeners inside the rise and fall of Diddy, the allegations and his defense with twice-weekly real-time updates during the trial.
Episodes (31)
The Trial: After the Verdict
Last week, the jury in USA v. Sean Combs returned a split verdict. Reactions have been split, too. Lots of people have weighed in -- from Sean Combs’ family to other celebrities, to you: our...
The Trial: Split Verdict
The jury in USA v. Sean Combs returned a verdict in his trial Wednesday morning. They found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but not guilty on the more serious...
The Trial: Verdict Watch
The jury picked a foreperson, and not long after, the foreperson sent the judge a note about a juror who they claim could not follow the judge’s instructions. ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire...
Burden of Proof: The Defense’s Closing Argument
Court adjourned Friday with the conclusion of closing arguments. Sean Combs’ lead defense attorney Marc Agnifilo attacked the government’s charges, accusing them of turning Diddy’s sex life into a...
The Trial: The Prosecution’s Closing Argument
The government reminded jurors of the complex web of witnesses and evidence it has presented over the past month and a half to try to prove Sean Combs guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. The...
The Trial: Zero Witnesses for the Defense
The case could be in the hands of the jury by Friday, and Brian Buckmire answers more of your questions.
You can leave a voicemail with your question about the trial at 929-388-1249.
Learn more...
You can leave a voicemail with your question about the trial at 929-388-1249.
Learn more...
The Trial: Who’s the Leak?
This week in USA v Sean Combs: The judge is concerned that his court has a leak, there’s another issue with one of the jurors, and the jury saw videos of freak offs for the first time. Brian Buckmire...
The Trial: New Week, New Juror
The judge in Sean Combs’ trial removed a juror following questions about his candor and whether -- as the judge said -- he “shaded answers to get on and stay on the jury.” An alternate juror took his...
The Trial: “You went to another man's freak-off?”
“Jane” wrapped up a week on the stand. Combs’ former girlfriend told jurors about her resentment over participating in “hotel nights" which she believed other girlfriends didn’t do. She also described...
The Trial: “I’m not a sex robot”
“Jane” returned to the stand and told jurors that Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit was like “reading my own sexual trauma.” She testified her alleged “hotel nights” were a lot like Cassie’s alleged...
The Trial: Diddy Gets Scolded
Brian Buckmire talks with someone at ABC who’s been tracking Diddy’s story very closely: Stephanie Maurice coordinates all the interview bookings for ABC’s coverage of Diddy (including this podcast!)....
Burden of Proof: Follow the Money
Today was all about the money, in the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. An Intercontinental Hotel employee testified that Combs paid him $100,000 in cash to hand over the video of Diddy attacking Cassie....
The Trial: A Heated Cross
Cross-examination of “Mia,” a former Combs assistant, gets contentious. Plus, we answer more of your questions on non-disclosure agreements, no-show witnesses and lesser charges. Meanwhile, outside...
The Trial: Evidence
Brian Buckmire sits down with ABC’s Peter Charalambous for a deep dive into the evidence of USA v. Sean Combs. Over 200 exhibits have been entered into evidence and seen by the jury to try to bolster...
Burden of Proof: Diddy Made Death Threats, According to Key Witness
Diddy's former assistant Capricorn Clark takes the stand and testifies that Diddy threatened to kill rapper Kid Cudi. Clark also testifies to being held against her will twice and made to undergo lie...
The Trial: Prosecutors Go for the Big Fish
Brian recaps key moments in court this week, including Kid Cudi taking the stand.
Then, a conversation with former prosecutor Moira Penza who won a conviction in the high profile RICO and sex...
Then, a conversation with former prosecutor Moira Penza who won a conviction in the high profile RICO and sex...
The Trial: Your Questions Asked and Answered
Brian Buckmire answers your questions about domestic violence, jury notes and the possibility of a presidential pardon.
If you have a question about the case you'd like Brian Buckmire to answer in...
If you have a question about the case you'd like Brian Buckmire to answer in...
The Trial: Star Witness
With no cameras in the courtroom, one of the key people taking in every word and noting reactions in the courtroom is ABC Coordinating Producer Tonya Simpson who’s there with her pen and notebook....
The Trial: Cassie Ventura's Second Day of Testimony
For a second day, Cassie Ventura was on the stand in the trial of Sean Diddy Combs. Hear analysis from ABC News Live's "Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy."
The show streams weekdays at 5:30...
The show streams weekdays at 5:30...
The Trial: Cassie Ventura Takes the Stand
All eyes were on Cassie Ventura as she testified in a packed Manhattan courtroom today. Analysis of her testimony from Brian Buckmire and others on"Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy” which...
The Trial: Abuse or Coercion?
The newly seated jury heard opening statements with dueling explanations of events: The government said the evidence will show that the sexual conduct in this case was coercive and criminal. The...
The Trial: A "Good Juror"
Jury experts say it’s more like jury “de-selection,” than selection. Picking a jury is about trying to eliminate potential jurors who might be bad for your side, while leaving the ones who might be...
The Trial: A Jury of One’s Peers
The citizens of New York who may serve on the jury in Sean Combs’ federal trial begin to answer questions. What it takes to assemble a jury in a high-profile case like this.
Learn more about your...
Learn more about your...
The Trial: Countdown
As the podcast shifts into trial coverage mode, host and ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire analyzes wins for both the prosecution and the defense in terms of what evidence the jury may...
USA v. Sean Combs
Sean Combs now awaits trial in Brooklyn's infamous Metropolitan Detention Center. In May, his highly publicized case is scheduled to go to trial. What do we know about the charges Diddy faces, the...
Downfall
As the wave of civil lawsuits against Diddy continues to grow, in March of 2024, federal agents raid two of his properties in connection to a human trafficking investigation. Just a couple months...
Before and After
Soon after Cassie and Diddy end their relationship, Diddy rebrands himself again, as Sean “Love” Combs. He's on his way to becoming hip hop’s third billionaire, wins lifetime achievement awards and...
Me & U
Diddy signs a young singer with a hit single who’s on the fast track to fame. Cassie Ventura reportedly agrees to a 10 album deal. They become romantically involved and Cassie’s career flatlines,...
Invincible
We chart Diddy’s rise from musician to mogul, from the center of hip-hop to the center of American culture. But that rise wasn’t always a smooth ascent. Along the way, he had moments of alleged...
Party's Over
Diddy was a legendary party host. His star-studded “white parties” were glittering displays of wealth and social capital that started in the world of hip-hop, and ultimately expanded far beyond it....
Introducing 'Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy'
A new podcast from 20/20 and ABC Audio traces how whispers of abuse came to light and led to Diddy’s downfall. ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire takes listeners inside the rise and fall of...
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