Trump&#8217;s Department of Homeland Security slammed a Minnesota newspaper for suggesting that illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes against children may have just been confused about American culture.
The agency slammed the Minnesota Star Tribune on Wednesday for running an <a href="https://www.startribune.com/hmong-minnesotans-face-deportation-laos-ice-arrests/601385285">article</a> that said a group of Laotians arrested for child sex crimes may be victims of a “cultural misunderstanding.” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Daily Wire that the story was one of the worst examples of media coverage of the deportations of convicted criminals.  
“We have seen a lot of gross reporting, but this may take gold for despicable. There is no excuse for anyone to commit crimes against innocent children. These pedophiles are the types of sickos our brave ICE law enforcement officers are putting their lives on the line to arrest and remove from American communities,” she said. 
Last Thursday, the Star Tribune wrote that the Department of Homeland Security was overlooking the fact that Laotians arrested for child sex crimes grew up in a culture where young marriages are normal. 
“Some Hmong Minnesotans say they suspect many of the decades-old arrests that led to the deportations were a result of Hmong culture encouraging girls as young as 14 to date and even marry older men, which is against the law in the United States,” the outlet reported. “Their lives in Southeast Asia often lacked education, several Hmong Minnesotans said, and they often did not understand American laws.”
One of those featured sympathetically in the article was Chia Neng Vue, an illegal alien from Laos who was convicted in 1998 of criminal sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13 and committing a crime for the benefit of a gang. 
Despite a judge ordering his removal in October 2003, Vue continued to rack up a criminal history in the United States. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Vue was arrested at least five more times between 2009 and 2012 for crimes including possession of a gun, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and domestic abuse.
“This illegal alien repeatedly broke our laws, committed sex and other violent crimes,&#8221; McLaughlin told The Daily Wire. &#8220;Why does the media continue to peddle sob stories of criminal illegal aliens — including child pedophiles — but ignore their American victims?&#8221;
&#8220;Instead of glorifying child pedophiles and violent criminal illegal aliens, the Minnesota Star Tribune should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these pedophiles from Minnesota,&#8221; she added.
A GoFundMe for Vue mentions that he has a family currently, but described his 1998 conviction for criminal contact with a girl under the age of 13 as part of “some bad decisions as a juvenile.&#8221;
The Star Tribune also quoted Democratic-Farmer-Labor State Senator Foung Hawj, who suggested that the ICE operations were overbroad. “Here we are, sending their children back over some petty misdemeanor, or things like early marriage that are transitioned by culture,” he said.
Hawj did not return a request for comment on whether he supported the deportation of Vue. 
The outlet also quoted another woman saying the cultural difference should be examined. 
“It’s seen in the eyes of American culture as, ‘You’re a predator,’” the woman said. “But in Hmong culture, he did nothing wrong.”
Other illegal alien Laotians arrested by Homeland Security Investigations in St. Paul include 44-year-old Yia Xiong, who was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, and 44-year-old Thong Lao, who was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child.

MixCollage-09-Jul-2025-02-27-PM-8008

Trump Department Of Homeland Security Slams Journos For Defending Illegal Immigrant Pedophiles

Department of Homeland Security

Deportations

Legacy Media

Minnesota

Sex Crimes

Trump Administration

The public is reacting to Sean “Diddy” Combs being found not guilty of the more serious charges against him and only being found guilty of violating the Mann Act.
Many commentators agree that while Combs didn’t get off scot-free, he did escape a life sentence, which was a possibility if he’d been found guilty of all charges.
“This is f***ng ridiculous,” journalist Megyn Kelly <a href="https://www.megynkelly.com/2025/07/02/megyn-kelly-reacts-to-shock-verdict-in-sean-diddy-combs-trial/">said</a>, reacting to what transpired in the courtroom. “I just find it absolutely outrageous the amount of crime that this guy just got away with.”
She went on, “I believe he committed arson. He definitely battered [ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura]. He battered Jane, too. The statute of limitations for battery in Los Angeles, California, is one year. So if they didn&#8217;t charge him for battery within one year, and they couldn&#8217;t, because he bought the tape and it remained hidden thanks to those security guards out there, then they could never charge him with that again.”
“He was a famous man, and they didn&#8217;t want to find him guilty,” Kelly said at another point, adding that she plans to make it her “personal mission” to “maintain his humiliation in the minds of all Americans.” 
Actress Rosie O’Donnell also weighed in on the situation, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLm-n2ZpnzG/">writing</a> on Instagram, &#8220;i guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion—wow—they just think women stay because what? money—fame—‘they love the abuse&#8217; &#8211; what a f***ing joke. this decision got me angry.&#8221;
Rapper 50 Cent, who has been openly critical of Diddy throughout the trial, also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLm_dgduIbQ/">posted</a> on Instagram about the verdict. &#8220;Diddy beat the Rico, that boy a bad man !&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;he like the Gay John Gotti.&#8221;
Ventura’s lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor, also shared a statement: &#8220;This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023. Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice,&#8221; he <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/cassie-venturas-lawyer-releases-statement-diddy-split-verdict-123351258">wrote</a>, per Good Morning America.
He went on, &#8220;We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.&#8221;
According to some <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/cnn-reports-people-are-pouring-baby-oil-on-each-other-outside-diddy-courtroom-and-chanting-its-not-rico-its-freak-o/">reports</a>, people outside the courthouse reacted to the “not guilty” verdict by pouring baby oil on themselves in celebration. This was a reference to the vast amounts of baby oil reportedly recovered from Combs’ residence, which was used during his infamous “freak off” sex parties.

Diddy

‘F***ing Ridiculous’: Megyn Kelly, Others React To Diddy Verdict

'F***ing Ridiculous': Megyn Kelly, Others React To Diddy 'Not Guilty' Verdict

Entertainment

Megyn Kelly

Sean 'Diddy' Combs

A Manhattan jury on Wednesday delivered a mixed verdict in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial, acquitting him of the most serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
Jurors found Combs, 55, guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
Ultimately, Combs was found guilty on count three, the Mann Act Transportation of his ex-girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, and on count five, the Mann Act Transportation of his former girlfriend, Jane. 
During the weeks-long trial, prosecutors accused Combs of using his wealth and fame to coerce ex-girlfriends into drug‑fueled marathons of sexual exploitation known as “freak‑offs.” 
In November 2023, Ventura filed a civil lawsuit accusing Combs of rape, repeated physical abuse, and years of abuse. The lawsuit was settled within 24 hours, but it was followed by a series of additional civil complaints from other alleged victims with similar complaints.
Next, federal authorities launched a criminal investigation into the rap mogul. In March 2024, federal agents raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a federal sex trafficking probe.
The raids resulted in Diddy being charged with sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and racketeering. 
The trial began in June in Manhattan federal court. The rapper pleaded not guilty to all charges.
While the rapper’s legal team painted him as a “complicated” man with an unorthodox but fully consensual sex life, prosecutors wasted no time sharing some sordid details from sexual encounters they say were coerced, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/diddy-trial-defense-admits-hes-complicated-but-domestic-violence-is-not-sex-trafficking?author=Amanda+Harding&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Diddy+Trial%3A+Defense+Admits+He%E2%80%99s+%E2%80%98Complicated%2C%E2%80%99+But+%E2%80%98Domestic+Violence+Is+Not+Sex+Trafficking%E2%80%99">reported</a>.
“He called himself the king, and he expected to be treated like one,” she said as a reference to the viral hotel surveillance footage showing him physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and “flinging her around like a rag doll.”
The prosecutor also went into detail about one specific incident which allegedly occurred at the rapper’s notorious “freak-off” parties. Johnson alleged that a male prostitute was instructed to urinate in Ventura’s mouth, which led to her saying she “felt like she was choking.”
<div class="ad-wrapper" data-testid="ad-wrapper">A security card testified that Combs paid him a bribe to destroy the security footage of him assaulting Ventura.</div>
Johnson said Combs was able to get away with it for so long thanks to his “inner circle and vast resources of his business empire.”
Additional civil litigation remains active, and sentencing on the federal convictions is expected later this year. Combs has not commented publicly since the verdict was released this morning.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Found Guilty On 2 Counts, Acquitted Of Most Serious Charges

Sean 'Diddy' Combs Found Not Guilty Of Racketeering And Sex Trafficking

Crime

Lawsuit

The sex-trafficking trial of disgraced music mogul Sean &#8220;Diddy&#8221; Combs ground to screeching halt on Monday, just one hour after the jury began deliberating, when the jurors slipped a note to Manhattan Federal Court Judge Arun Subramanian questioning whether or not &#8220;Juror 25&#8221; would be able to carry out his civic duty.
The note, sent to Subramanian around 12:40 p.m. local time, stated that the majority was unsure of said juror&#8217;s ability to adhere to the judge&#8217;s instructions — but it did not give any indication as to why they believed that was the case.
&#8220;We have a juror, ‘Juror 25,’ who we believe cannot follow your honor&#8217;s instructions,&#8221; the note said, according to a report published Monday by the New York Post.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
JUST IN: Jury deliberating Diddy&#8217;s fate sends note to Judge
&#8220;We have a juror, No. 25, who we are concerned cannot follow your honor&#8217;s instructions.&#8221;<a href="https://t.co/XkHn2q4y3s">pic.twitter.com/XkHn2q4y3s</a>
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) <a href="https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1939760285184819411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The juror&#8217;s name was not revealed, but the Post described him as &#8220;a 51-year-old man with a thick European accent,&#8221; and noted that he works as a scientist in Manhattan and holds an advanced degree in molecular biology.
A live report from CourtTV stated that during jury selection, the juror revealed he&#8217;d seen the video of Combs attacking then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and said that &#8220;he had formed an opinion about that particular video,&#8221; but said at the time that he would be able to &#8220;set his opinion aside&#8221; when it came time to discuss the case.
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The foreperson requested the chance to speak with the judge personally — or, if that was not possible, suggested that the judge should interview Juror 25.
Combs&#8217; trial came to an end on Friday after seven weeks of testimony and evidence, and the jury began deliberating at 11:30 a.m. on Monday. The rapper and music producer has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; transportation to engage in prostitution; and racketeering — and could spend up to life in prison if he&#8217;s convicted on any one of the three biggest charges against him.
Thus far, the judge has directed the jury to continue deliberations until further notice.

Sean “Diddy” Combs attends trial in New York federal court

Diddy Trial On Pause After Just One Hour Of Jury Deliberations, Note Reveals Problem With ‘Juror 25’

Diddy Trial On Pause After Just One Hour Of Jury Deliberations, Note Reveals Problem With 'Juror 25'

Celebrities

Courts

trial

U.S.

The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Tuesday included testimony from a former hotel security guard claiming he was paid $100,000 to destroy footage of the rapper assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in 2016.
The footage went viral after being released by CNN in May 2024, a full year before Combs’ trial began. Eddie Garcia told the jury that he was approached by the rapper’s chief of staff, Kristina Khorrum, with an offer to exchange cash for destroying the video and all copies of it.
Garcia described an alleged phone call he had with Combs during which the rapper said he had “a little too much” to drink preceding the assault, saying “it could ruin him” if the video got out. “You know how it is with women,” Combs reportedly said.
The former security guard said it was promised that he would be taken care of, per <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/arts/music/sean-combs-diddy-trial-cassie-hotel.html">The New York Times</a>.
The witness said he turned down the rapper’s request at first, but eventually agreed. “He was excited, said ‘Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help. I knew you could do it,’” Garcia said of Combs.
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Garcia said he and his supervisor handed over the USB drive during a meeting at a high rise apartment building. &#8220;I was very nervous and my voice kept cracking,&#8221; the security guard said of the meeting. Garcia testified that he signed a non-disclosure agreement asserting that there were &#8220;no duplicates, backups, stored drives&#8221; containing the video and then was given $100,000 in cash in a paper bag.
The security guard said he was told “not to make any big purchases” because “it would draw attention.”
It’s not clear how the security footage wound up on CNN, as the outlet noted.
Ventura testified earlier during the trial, providing the jury with graphic details of alleged physical, sexual, and psychological abuse during her decade-long relationship with the Bad Boy Records founder. The defense claims that Combs had an unconventional sex life, but is not guilty of the criminal activities he’s been charged with.
Combs pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Combs and Cassie

Diddy Trial: Security Guard Claims He Was Paid $100K To Destroy Hotel Assault Footage

Bribery

Manhattan

Day eight of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial included testimony from his former assistant, George Kaplan, who detailed how he both set up and covered up his employer’s infamous “freak off” parties in hotel rooms.
Kaplan testified that he worked long days, clocking 80 to 100 hours per week and at least once being on shift for close to 24 hours straight, per <a href="https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-trial-cassie-court-case-05-21-25">CNN</a>. The former executive assistant reported that he was paid around $125,000 and that Combs threatened his employment frequently, saying he would be let go over mistakes, such as purchasing the wrong item at a store. 
Kaplan said he was tasked with answering phone calls, emails, and texts from Combs, including requests for “clothing or potentially food from somewhere, or drugs or liquor or an iPad or a speaker,” the outlet noted. He was also required to fly to various cities such as New York, Miami, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Orlando to deliver a “hotel bag” containing a speaker, candles, liquor, baby oil, extra clothing, and Astroglide lubricant. 
Combs’ former assistant said he also understood his job to include visiting the hotel room after his employer left to clean up evidence of the parties, which might consist of empty bottles of baby oil and lube, and in one instance, drug residue. He testified that this was done to “protect” Combs’ image and ensure hotel cleaning staff could not take pictures and publicize them, as ABC News <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/sean-combs-trial-day-12-recap-jurors-hear/story?id=122050227">reported</a>.
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Kaplan confirmed that the “freak offs” lasted several days and included prostitutes, drugs, and alcohol. The assistant claimed Combs asked him to buy illegal drugs on two occasions, including a bag of MDMA in Miami and an unknown substance in Los Angeles. 
Also on day eight of the trial, clinical and forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes testified about the tendency for victims of domestic abuse to stay in abusive relationships. This comes after the prosecution’s star witness, Cassie Ventura, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/diddy-trial-combs-ex-girlfriend-cassie-ventura-shares-graphic-details-of-freak-offs">took the stand</a> to testify against Combs. Ventura and Combs were together for 11 years, and she accused him of physical, mental, and sexual abuse during that time.
Rapper Kid Cudi is expected to testify on Thursday, and Kaplan will face cross-examination from the defense. Combs’ legal team seeks to prove that his unconventional sex life was shocking but not illegal. Meanwhile, he has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

George Kaplan

Diddy Trial: Witness Says He Concealed ‘Freak Off’ Party Aftermath From Hotel Staff

Diddy Trial: Former Assistant Testifies About Hiding 'Freak Off' Party Aftermath From Hotel Staff

New York City

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend of 11 years, Cassie Ventura, made more allegations against the rapper during her second day on the witness stand on Wednesday.
The final line of questioning from the prosecution led to Ventura accusing Combs of raping her in 2018 when she was attempting to break up with him. She described a dinner in Malibu as a “closure conversation” which ended with Combs allegedly raping her after driving her back home to her apartment that night. Ventura said Combs was acting “romantic, “nice,” and “playful&#8221; before the incident.
&#8220;I just remember crying and saying &#8216;no,&#8217; but it was very fast,&#8221; she said from the witness stand. &#8220;I went inside, he came in and raped me on the living room floor,&#8221; Ventura recalled. &#8220;His eyes were black, he wasn’t himself, it was like somebody taking something from you.”
Ventura also said she had consensual sex with Combs one more time before cutting ties with him for good. When asked why this happened, she replied, “We had been together for over 10 years. You don’t just turn feelings off that way,” Variety <a href="https://variety.com/2025/music/news/cassie-diddy-settlement-alleges-rape-trial-1236398358/">reported</a>.
This was around the same time she began dating personal trainer Alex Fine, whom she married in 2019. The couple is currently expecting their third child.
At the end of her testimony, Ventura recalled suffering psychological repercussions following the incident. She testified that she began “spinning out” in February 2023. 
“I didn’t want to be alive anymore,” Ventura said, tearfully recalling an incident when she “tried to walk out the front door into traffic, and my husband would not let me.”
Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in 2023 accusing him of rape and physical abuse. While Combs claimed he wasn’t guilty of the charges, the lawsuit was settled just one day after it was filed for an undisclosed amount. During her Wednesday testimony, Ventura revealed that she received $20 million from Combs as part of the settlement.
Earlier in the week, Ventura went into <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/diddy-trial-combs-ex-girlfriend-cassie-ventura-shares-graphic-details-of-freak-offs">detail</a> about her experience at Combs’ drug-fueled sex parties known as “freak-offs,” which involved her engaging in intercourse with male prostitutes for hours or days at a time. She said, “sometimes Sean — he, himself, or an escort would urinate on me.”
“The freak-offs became a job,” she added, saying that participating made her feel “disgusting” and “humiliated.”
Next up, the defense is expected to cross-examine Ventura. As highlighted in opening statements, their objective will be to prove that Combs engaged in unorthodox yet consensual sexual exploits.
Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Cassie and Diddy

Diddy Trial: Cassie Ventura Says Combs Raped Her After They Had Broken Up

Diddy Trial: Cassie Testifies Combs Raped Her In 2018 When She Tried To Leave Him

Rape

Cassie Ventura, the prosecution’s key witness in the trial against rap artist Sean “Diddy” Combs, took the stand beginning on Tuesday and became emotional as she detailed years of alleged sexual, physical, and mental abuse.
“He controlled a lot of my life,” she said.
Combs, 55, has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been awaiting trial behind bars after multiple attempts to be released on bail.
Ventura, 38, described what went on during her decade-long relationship with the disgraced rap mogul, highlighting several specific instances of abuse during her lengthy testimony. 
She described the highly publicized “freak-offs,” during which she said, “sometimes Sean — he, himself, or an escort would urinate on me.”
She recalled often choking because there was “too much urine in my mouth.&#8221;
“I don’t want anyone to urinate on me,&#8221; Ventura said from the stand. &#8220;Sean would urinate in my mouth — not super often but often enough.”
The rapper’s ex-girlfriend described the “freak-offs” as lengthy, elaborate, and exhausting sex parties. “The longest was 4 days or even more with breaks,” Ventura told the court. “Then I was recovering from the drugs, dehydration — just trying to stay awake all the time.”
&#8220;The freak-offs became a job,&#8221; she added, saying that participating made her feel “disgusting” and “humiliated.”
She said Combs was in charge of everything about the “freak-offs,” insisting on Ventura wearing her nails a particular way. She said she was forced to apply baby oil every five minutes to appear “glistening,” per <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/arts/music/cassie-sean-combs-diddy-trial-takeaways.html">The New York Times</a>. 
Ventura also described times Combs would &#8220;punish&#8221; her by having members of his security team block access to her cell phone and computer. She claimed that these punishments were dictated by his mood. 
Combs’ ex said she was “naive” when they met and was impressed by the rapper and all his success. She also said she felt coerced because she had signed a 10-album deal with Bad Boy Records and saw Combs as having power over her career.
“When you’re in love with someone you don’t want to disappoint them,” Ventura said.
“I wanted to be around Sean for the same reasons as everyone else at the time,&#8221; she said, becoming emotional. &#8220;This exciting, entertaining, fun guy who also happened to have my career in his hands.”
During cross-examination, Combs’ lawyer attempted to prove that all sexual encounters between her client and Ventura were consensual. 
The judge denied a request from the defense to downplay Ventura’s current pregnancy by having her seated before the jury entered the courtroom. Ventura is currently in her third trimester, and the defense said &#8220;the visibility of her pregnancy&#8221; could unfairly prejudice the jury against Combs.
Ventura’s testimony continued on Wednesday. The entire trial is expected to last eight weeks.
Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Cassie Ventura

Diddy Trial: Combs’ Ex-Girlfriend Cassie Ventura Shares Graphic Details Of ‘Freak-Offs’

Diddy Trial: Combs' Ex-Girlfriend Cassie Ventura Becomes Emotional During Testimony

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial officially kicked off today with opening statements from both the prosecution and the defense.
While the rapper’s legal team painted him as a “complicated” man with an unorthodox but fully consensual sex life, prosecutors wasted no time sharing some sordid details from sexual encounters they say were coerced, per <a href="https://deadline.com/2025/05/sean-diddy-combs-trial-starts-opening-statements-1236393819/">Deadline</a>.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Ann Johnson provided a list of “crime after crime” during opening statements in Manhattan court Monday morning, mentioning kidnapping, arson, drugs, sex crimes, and bribery allegedly committed over the past two decades.
“He called himself the king, and he expected to be treated like one,” she said as a reference to the viral hotel surveillance footage showing him physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and “flinging her around like a rag doll.”
The prosecutor also went into detail about one specific incident which allegedly occurred at the rapper’s notorious “freak-off” parties. Johnson alleged that a male prostitute was instructed to urinate in Ventura&#8217;s mouth, which led to har saying she &#8220;felt like she was choking.&#8221;
Johnson said Combs was able to get away with it for so long thanks to his “inner circle and vast resources of his business empire.”
“Her livelihood and safety depended on keeping him happy,” Johnson said of Ventura, who is slated to take the stand at a later date.
Defense Attorney Tenny Geragos presented a different portrait of the Bad Boys Records founder.
“Sean Combs is a complicated man, but this is not as complicated case,” Geragos said.
“Sean Combs has a bad temper and sometimes he gets out of control,” the attorney added. “We take full responsibility for the domestic violence. Domestic violence is not sex trafficking.”
“We will not shy away from the things Mr. Comb did,” the attorney added, saying her client “has a bit of a different sex life,” but asserting that the encounters occurred between consenting adults.
Gergagos also mentioned the surveillance video, repeating the claim that it was “overwhelming evidence of domestic violence … but it is not evidence of sex trafficking.” She said the incident seen on security footage represented a “toxic relationship between two people who loved each other.”
The attorney also pointed out that Ventura stayed with Combs as a romantic partner for 11 years.
Combs, 44, has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been awaiting trial behind bars after multiple attempts to be released on bail.
Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Sean “Diddy” Combs

Diddy Trial: Defense Admits He’s ‘Complicated,’ But ‘Domestic Violence Is Not Sex Trafficking’

Diddy Trial: Defense Admits He's 'Complicated,' But 'Domestic Violence Is Not Sex Trafficking'

The trial for Sean “Diddy” Combs kicked off this week in Manhattan with jury selection.
Prosecutors have accused Combs’ legal team of consulting with celebrity attorney Mark Geragos, who has represented big-name talent such as Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Jussie Smollett, and the Menendez brothers. 
Per <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-mark-geragos-defense">CNN</a>, Geragos has been present in court since Monday and was seen speaking with Combs’ defense team in what prosecutors called an “apparent role as an advisor to the defendant.” But Geragos claimed he was only there to support his daughter, Teny Geragos, who was hired to help defend Diddy.
“I’m here to support my daughter. (Combs) is a friend,” the high-profile attorney told the outlet on Tuesday.
Prosecutors wrote a letter to the judge saying Geragos was acting as &#8220;an advisor&#8221; for the defense. They say if Geragos is working with the defense, he should have to follow the rules of the court and refrain from publicly commenting about the allegations. They said Geragos has discussed the case on his podcast.
Meanwhile, the pool is being narrowed down from 45 potential jurors to 10 as U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian continues questioning the group. Next, the attorneys will have a chance to veto individual jurors. 
Many of them said they had seen the 2016 surveillance footage of Combs grabbing, dragging, shoving, and kicking his former girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura.
At least one man in the pool said the footage “gives the appearance of an angry hostile person who is entitled,” adding that he believes “mostly everybody saw the video.” However, he claimed he was still able to be impartial if selected.
Potential jurors were also asked if they were familiar with celebrities like Kanye West, Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers, and Kid Cudi, but it’s not immediately clear how those individuals will be relevant to the trial.
A female juror was dismissed on Tuesday after saying in court on Tuesday, &#8220;Diddy has a lot of money to use at his discretion and possibly buy his way out of jail,&#8221; per <a href="https://people.com/diddy-trial-potential-juror-dismissed-buy-way-out-jail-11728969">People</a>. When the judge asked her to clarify, she replied, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know how to explain it.&#8221;
Ventura will be testifying during the trial using her real name, per multiple reports.
Combs, 44, has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been awaiting trial behind bars after multiple attempts to be released on bail.
Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Sean Combs

Diddy Trial: Prosecutors Say Famous Celeb Attorney Is Breaking The Rules

Diddy Trial: Prosecutors Accuse Sean Combs' Defense Team Of Consulting With Celeb Attorney

Court

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial began on Monday in Manhattan federal court, and the 55-year-old rapper admitted he was “nervous” during the appearance.
The recording artist was allowed to trade in his prison garb for regular clothing after he had been awaiting trial behind bars for the past seven months, despite rallying to be let out on bail. The Bad Boy Records founder could be sentenced to life in prison if he’s convicted on multiple charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking crimes.
“I’m sorry, your honor, I’m a little nervous today,” Combs told Judge Arun Subramanian after asking for a two-minute bathroom break following 90 minutes of juror questioning. Jury selection began Monday with 50 potential jurors.
The rapper pleaded not guilty to the charges and turned down a plea deal from prosecutors about 10 days ago, per <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/05/05/us-news/diddy-trial-jury-selection-kicks-off-with-rapper-admitting-hes-nervous/">the New York Post</a>.
One of the lawyers for Combs withdrew from his defense team in February, saying, “Under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs. It is respectfully but regrettably requested that the court grant the relief requested.”
But despite that hiccup, Combs has faith in his legal team to win, evidenced by his turning down the undisclosed plea deal.
Combs is charged under the Mann Act, officially the White-Slave Traffic Act, which prohibits the transport of people across state or international lines for prostitution.
The defense has called the Mann Act “racist” and historically “used to target black men and supposedly protect white women from them.”
Federal authorities allege Combs had “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others, and led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes,” per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. 
Prosecutors also said Combs “engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals. This abuse was, at times, verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual,” as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sean-diddy-combs-trial-date-set?author=Amanda+Harding&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Sean+%E2%80%98Diddy%E2%80%99+Combs+Trial+Date+Set">reported</a>.
There have been many headlines about the alleged “freak-offs,” or parties which included non-consensual sexual activity, and inspired Combs to stock his property with a reported one thousand bottles of baby oil. The rapper’s attorneys will argue that Combs did have sex parties, but will insist that all participants were of age and willing to participate in the events.
Combs is also facing 120 or more additional lawsuits in the near future, including complaints from at least 25 minors.

Diddy Tells Judge He’s ‘Nervous’ As Sex Trafficking Trial Begins In NYC

Imagine your teenage son goes upstairs to do homework — and just hours later, you discover he has taken his own life. For <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/02/25/teenage-boys-mental-health-suicide-sextortion-scams/78258882007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">too many families</a>, this nightmare is a grim reality, the result of a rapidly growing and devastating crime known as sextortion. 
Sextortion is a powerful form of exploitation where predators trick and coerce victims, often young boys, into sending explicit images online. The exploiters often pose as teen girls and reach out with flirtatious messages. This is no haphazard operation, research has found that thousands of Instagram accounts perpetrating sextortion were linked to <a href="https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/meta-takes-down-63k-instagram-accounts-5700-facebook-groups-1300-facebook-accounts-linked-1725744" target="_blank" rel="noopener">only 20-25 individuals</a> — in other words, this is often an organized criminal activity, something no teenager is prepared to go up against. They are trained and skilled at building trust quickly, shifting the conversation to sexual topics and eventually sending pictures or videos and requesting some in return.
In mere minutes, the blackmail begins. Predators threaten to expose the victim’s nude photos to their contacts or social media connections unless they pay a demanded sum — fueling fear, shame, and deterring them from seeking help. To heighten the pressure, some blackmailers may falsely accuse teens of criminal activity, warning that they could end up on sex offender registries.
For some, the shame and fear of being exposed are so overwhelming that they see no way out, leading to tragic actions like suicide within mere hours of being targeted.
Sextortion has been connected to dozens of deaths of teen boys by suicide in <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/sacramento/news/sextortion-a-growing-threat-preying-upon-our-nations-teens#:~:text=The%20sextortion%20involved%20at%20least,the%20activity%20to%20law%20enforcement." target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent</a> years. Tragically, these numbers are likely underreported as family members may not know the circumstance that led to a loved one’s death by suicide.
There are an average of 812 reports of sextortion <a href="https://www.thorn.org/research/library/financial-sextortion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per week</a>, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
This crisis demands immediate attention and action.
For too long, online platforms have failed to prioritize safety. Take Snapchat, for example. New Mexico’s attorney general recently brought a lawsuit against Snapchat. According to a report from <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/new-mexico-attorney-general-says-internal-snap-documents-show-company-rcna173486" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a>, documents from the lawsuit reveal “‘Snap employees were discussing 10,000 user reports of sextortion each month,’ which is most likely ‘a small fraction of this abuse.’”
“In addition, the suit alleges internal documents show that reports of grooming and sextortion made about specific users largely went unanswered or unaddressed,” according to NBC NEWS.
Meta’s Instagram appears to be the <a href="https://info.thorn.org/hubfs/Research/Thorn_TrendsInFinancialSextortion_June2024.pdf?sm_guid=NzcxOTIyfDc4MzA5NjAxfC0xfGNlc2VAbmNvc2UuY29tfDcyMDIwMTJ8fDB8MHwyMjU0MzA0NTd8MTEzMnwwfDB8fDc2NjM5Nnww0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#1 platform for sextortion</a>. One key reason is the availability of follower lists, which predators can leverage against victims. While the platform has <a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2024/04/new-tools-to-help-protect-against-sextortion-and-intimate-image-abuse/">taken steps</a> to identify and protect kids from sextortion, there’s still more they can do to prioritize the safety of minors.
According to <a href="https://www.thorn.org/research/library/financial-sextortion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a report</a> from Thorn titled “Trends in Financial Sextortion,” online payments are another avenue for exploitation. “The most common payment methods were Cash App and gift cards, followed by other easy-use payment apps such as PayPal and Venmo. The dominance of gift cards and Cash App has slightly increased over time relative to other payment services.”
With Cash App ranking as the <a href="https://info.thorn.org/hubfs/Research/Thorn_TrendsInFinancialSextortion_June2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#1 payment method</a> for financial sextortion, there is valid concern over many of their default features like public profiles and limited identity verification. These vulnerabilities could expose younger users to predatory behavior.
It is time to require a higher standard of care from online platforms.
One vital step to combat sextortion and image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is the “Take It Down Act,” a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). This legislation has already gained significant momentum, passing unanimously in the Senate. Now, it is time for the House to act and make this bill law.
The “Take It Down Act” is a bold step toward creating meaningful protections for sextortion victims and victims of nonconsensually-shared explicit content. It addresses the crisis in two key ways, first, by mandating quick removal of harmful content, and then by criminalizing image-based abuse. Under the &#8220;Take It Down Act,&#8221; social media platforms and websites would be legally required to remove explicit images within 48 hours of a survivor’s request. These platforms must also make efforts to prevent the images&#8217; reappearance, reducing the cycle of trauma for victims. This bill also makes it a federal crime to publish explicit images of a person without their consent, including AI-generated or “deepfake” content. This brings critical accountability to perpetrators who weaponize private imagery.
By passing this legislation, Congress can empower victims to regain control while ensuring that perpetrators face appropriate consequences for their actions.
For young boys targeted by sextortion, the bill’s immediate removal mandate could mean the difference between life and death, offering assurance that exposure is not inevitable and their situation is not hopeless.
If you are a parent or guardian, use this article as a reason to talk with your kids now about this threat online — before they ever find themselves in a dangerous situation. It’s natural to react with fear or anger if a child makes an unsafe choice, but we never know what difference maintaining an open dialogue can make.
Sextortion is a profoundly isolating crime — but no victim or family needs to face it alone. If explicit images have already been shared, resources are available. &#8220;Take It Down,&#8221; a free service from the National Center for Missing &amp; Exploited Children, helps remove nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images taken before the age of 18. Visit <a href="https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">takeitdown.ncmec.org</a> for more information. The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative also offers critical support and resources for those affected. 
Congress can and must pass the “Take it Down Act,” helping to give every child the safety they deserve and ensuring no life is stolen by this devastating fraud.
* * *
Haley McNamara is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Programs at the <a href="http://www.endsexualexploitation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Center on Sexual Exploitation</a>, the leading national non-partisan organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health harms of pornography. On X: @NCOSE
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
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<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dozens-of-teen-boys-take-their-own-lives-as-online-sextortion-cases-spike?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=Original&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Dozens+Of+Teen+Boys+Take+Their+Own+Lives+As+Online+Sextortion+Cases+Spike" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RELATED: Dozens Of Teen Boys Take Their Own Lives As Online Sextortion Cases Spike</a></h3>

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