Sean “Diddy” Combs has compared his legal situation to that of former U.S. president Donald Trump. The rapper’s legal team cited similarities between their respective cases in a court filing on Monday,
In their legal brief, Combs’ attorneys quoted a decision by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals from December, which centered around the First Amendment and Trump’s rights to free speech amid criminal proceedings. The court’s ruling stated that only a “significant and imminent threat to the administration of criminal justice” could justify restricting a defendant’s speech. The lawyers argued that, just as in Trump’s case, Combs should be afforded the same level of constitutional protection to speak out about his ongoing legal battle.
The filing claimed that Combs, like Trump, has “a greater constitutional claim than other trial participants… to speak out against the prosecution and the criminal trial process that seek to take away his liberty.” The lawyers contended that Trump’s heightened legal standards should be applied to Combs as well, particularly given the circumstances of the case.
Combs faces federal charges related to sex trafficking, of attempting to influence potential jurors through a “public relations campaign” conducted via social media. The specific incident in question involved a video posted by Combs’ children on November 4, marking his birthday. In the clip, Combs’ son, Justin Dior Combs, along with six of his siblings, including his young daughter Love, could be seen gathered around a birthday cake. Combs’ voice could be heard in the background for the first time since his arrest, speaking to his family from his jail cell.
“I love y’all so much. I can’t wait to see y’all. I just want to say I’m proud of y’all, especially the girls. I mean all of y’all but just for being strong. Thank y’all for being strong and thank y’all for being by my side, supporting me. I love y’all,” Combs said in the video. “I got the best family in the world. My birthday. I’m happy. Thank y’all for giving me this call. I love y’all.”
Combs’ legal team has been accused of facilitating the video’s release using a banned communication app, ContactMeASAP.com, which the Bureau of Prisons has prohibited. Additionally, prosecutors allege that Combs used the app to make calls to individuals he was not permitted to contact and avoid law enforcement monitoring.
The prosecutors have also accused Combs of attempting to tamper with witnesses.
According to reports, the rapper allegedly reached out to one witness 128 times over the course of four days, attempting to persuade her to offer favorable testimony in his case. In another instance, it is claimed that Combs used other inmates’ phone accounts to make calls. uals.
Combs, who faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, has been accused of running illicit “Freak Offs” — elaborate and often disturbing sex performances that he allegedly orchestrated while recording and participating in them. He stands accused of coercing and abusing women over the years with the help of his associates, using tactics such as blackmail, physical violence, and even kidnapping to silence victims.
In addition to the criminal charges, Combs is also facing numerous civil lawsuits, with dozens of individuals, some of whom were minors at the time, suing him for alleged offenses spanning several years. Combs has denied all charges of abuse, coercion, and trafficking.
This is Combs’ third attempt to be granted bail, and his legal team has argued that his “reputation has been destroyed” by the ongoing legal proceedings.
