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Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial officially started at federal court after the jury was picked. In the opening statements, the defense team didn’t try to deny that the rapper has had violent moments or jealousy-driven fights with his past girlfriends. They also admitted he’s struggled with drug addiction. However, they strongly denied all the sex trafficking charges against him.
After the prosecutor described Diddy as running a criminal operation, the defense pushed back by saying the women accusing him are all “capable, strong, adult women” who were in consensual sexual relationships with him. The lawyers emphasized that these women, often described as his girlfriends, chose to be involved with him — and that consenting to sex doesn’t equal trafficking.
Diddy’s lawyer, Teny Geragos, said in court, “Being a willing participant in your own sex life is not sex trafficking.”
One key part of the defense’s argument is about a 2016 video showing Combs dragging and kicking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel lobby. Geragos explained that while the video is clear proof of domestic violence, it’s not evidence of sex trafficking. He made the point that the violence seemed related to a phone argument, not anything linked to trafficking.
Besides the sex trafficking and domestic violence accusations, Diddy also faces charges of racketeering (which means running a criminal enterprise) and transporting people for prostitution.
The trial will also hear testimony from Cassie Ventura and three other women, who are expected to share their stories against the rapper. Diddy Combs was arrested on these charges late in 2024 at his home.