On Tuesday afternoon, June 24, 2025, Sean "Diddy" Combs, the 55-year-old music mogul and entrepreneur, made a decisive move in his high-profile sex trafficking trial by cutting off Judge Arun Subramanian to confirm he would not be testifying. Standing confidently in the Manhattan federal courtroom, Combs told the judge, "That is solely my decision. It’s my decision with my lawyers," signaling the end of his direct participation in the proceedings.
The prosecution rested their case the same day after calling 34 witnesses over the course of the trial, which has lasted more than seven weeks. Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Thursday, June 26, with jury deliberations expected to start the following Monday, June 30, 2025. The trial has captivated public attention, revealing disturbing allegations and intimate details of Combs's personal and professional life.
Combs faces serious charges, including two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and one count of racketeering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that he used his vast entertainment empire, including Bad Boy Records and his Sean John fashion line, to coerce women into participating in so-called "freak-off" sex marathons, often backed by threats and violence. Should he be convicted, Combs faces a minimum of 15 years for racketeering and sex trafficking charges, with up to 10 years for transportation offenses.
Throughout the trial, the defense has argued that the sexual activity in question was consensual, accusing prosecutors of attempting to criminalize adult sexual behavior. In a swift 23-minute presentation on Tuesday, Combs's defense team rested their case without calling any witnesses, choosing instead to enter nine sets of text messages between Combs and his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura into evidence, along with two stipulations. These messages often depict Ventura discussing and seemingly consenting to the "freak-offs," with texts from 2017 showing exchanges like Combs asking, "You think you can FO (freak off) without getting high?" to which Ventura replied, "Yeah I’ll just have to be at my level and what is good for me." Another message read, "The last round was pretty hot to me. I’m down for whatever." The defense's strategy aligns with legal expert Mark D. Chutkow’s assessment that Combs’s decision not to testify was wise, avoiding the risk of more damaging cross-examination and allowing the defense to emphasize reasonable doubt.
Judge Subramanian dismissed the jury for the day on Tuesday, scheduling their return for Thursday, June 26. Prosecutor Maurene Comey indicated that deliberations would likely not begin until Monday, June 30. Both sides agreed to hold court Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate closing arguments.
Amid the courtroom drama, the trial revealed a complex web of relationships and contradictions. A stipulation disclosed that several witnesses, including Daniel Phillip (allegedly hired by Combs to have sex with Ventura), Dawn Richard (former Danity Kane member), and Mia (a former assistant), initially did not report sexual contact or threats from Combs to authorities. Additionally, Cassie Ventura’s longtime friend, Bryana Bongolan, had not informed prosecutors before trial that Combs threatened to kill her at a photoshoot.
Combs’s mother, Janice Combs, was visibly animated following her son's announcement not to testify, seen pointing a finger at him in the courtroom. Janice has been a consistent presence throughout the trial, often drawing media attention with her courtroom attire and outspoken defense of her son. She has described the legal proceedings as a "public lynching," language that some experts suggest feeds into Combs’s claims of racial bias in his prosecution.
Family dynamics have played a significant role beyond the courtroom. Combs’s son, Christian "King" Combs, 27, was spotted visiting rapper Kanye West at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 25. Kanye has been a vocal supporter of Combs, attending the trial on June 13 and publicly calling for his release, alleging the charges are part of a racially motivated conspiracy. Christian and Kanye have also collaborated musically, highlighting the family's intertwined personal and professional lives.
The defense has sought to distance some family members from the alleged crimes. Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro argued there is no evidence that Kristina Khorram, Combs’s former assistant and ex-chief of staff, knew about or participated in coercing Combs’s girlfriends, aside from obtaining drugs for personal use. Shapiro further noted that the alleged conspiracy began in 2004, but Khorram only became involved in 2016, undermining claims of her complicity. Shapiro also emphasized the "thin proof" of other employees willingly engaging in criminal acts beyond minor drug procurement.
In court, Combs appeared composed and clear-headed. When asked by Judge Subramanian if he had taken any drugs in the last 48 hours, Combs replied confidently, "No," and affirmed that his mind was "clear." He also took a moment to compliment the judge, saying, "I wanted to tell you thank you. You’re doing an excellent job," marking his first words spoken in the trial.
The jury viewed six clips from two "freak-off" videos totaling just over six minutes, with Combs observed leaning over in his seat, nearly standing, as the footage played. The videos, central to the prosecution's case, depict explicit sexual activity that prosecutors argue were coerced. Technical difficulties briefly stalled the viewing, as jurors and defense attorneys experienced issues with their headphones.
Text messages presented as evidence also revealed disturbing and explicit communications between Combs and his ex-girlfriends. In one exchange from August 2023, Combs and an ex-girlfriend, referred to as Jane, discussed having a new "entertainer" sign a non-disclosure agreement. Other texts from 2022 and 2023 showed Jane expressing enjoyment of the "freak-offs." In a separate message from December 2015, Cassie Ventura confronted Combs about forcing her to disclose sexual activities to her mother under threat of exposure, asking how he would feel if his own children were subjected to such treatment. Combs responded with apologies, but the messages reveal a troubling dynamic.
Evidence seized during a March 2024 raid of Combs’s $61 million Holmby Hills mansion included high-powered rifles, bags of ketamine, and hundreds of bottles of baby oil, a substance frequently referenced in the trial's sexual activity allegations.
Combs has not been seen publicly since his arrest on September 16, 2024, and remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His legal troubles have deeply affected his brand and empire, with experts noting irreparable damage regardless of the trial's outcome.
While Combs’s legal team has opted not to call witnesses, the presence and demeanor of his family in the courtroom have become a subtle yet powerful narrative. Experts like former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow highlight how jurors absorb not only the testimony but also the reactions and interactions within the courtroom, including those of the defendant and his family. This dual narrative—the official court record and the human drama unfolding in the gallery—could influence the jury's ultimate decision.
As the trial moves toward closing arguments and deliberations, the world watches closely, awaiting the verdict on one of the most sensational celebrity cases in recent memory.