Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces upcoming federal sex-trafficking trial

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, the influential hip-hop mogul, faces five federal criminal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire over two decades to sexually abuse and exploit women, sometimes coercing them into recorded sexual acts and transporting sex workers across state lines. His defense argues that the sexual activity was consensual and that the new charges do not introduce substantially new conduct. A U.S. judge recently rejected Combs' request to delay his trial by two months, stating the motion was made too close to the scheduled start date in early May 2025. In addition to the criminal case, Combs is facing at least 10 civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse, rape, and harassment, with claims dating back to the 1990s. The criminal trial and ongoing civil litigation have drawn significant public attention, highlighting both the breadth and severity of the allegations against Combs.