Gabbard fires ‘deep state’ officials — makes more big moves
EXCLUSIVE: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has fired the top officials leading the National Intelligence Council – whom whistleblowers describe as “radically opposed to Trump” — and has moved the agency to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, or ODNI, to ensure she can block any “politicization of intelligence,” Fox News Digital has learned.
Gabbard fired Mike Collins, who was serving as the acting chair of the National Intelligence Council, and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof, Tuesday, senior intelligence officials told Fox News Digital.
DNI GABBARD REFERS INTEL OFFICIALS TO DOJ FOR PROSECUTION OVER ALLEGED LEAKS OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
Fox News Digital reached out Langan-Riekhof for comment and did not immediately hear back, and couldn’t immediately find contact information for Collins.
Collins also has whistleblower complaints against him for political bias and “deliberately undermining the incoming Trump administration,” officials said.
They added that Collins was closely associated with Michael Morrell, the former deputy director of the CIA who worked to write a public letter in 2020 claiming that Hunter Biden’s laptop had “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation,” and to get signatures from top ex-intelligence officials.
As for Langan-Reikhof, officials said she has been a “key advocate” for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and is someone who whistleblowers allege is “radically opposed to Trump.”
Meanwhile, Gabbard is moving the National Intelligence Council from the CIA to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to “directly hold accountable any improper action and politicization of intelligence,” Fox News Digital has learned.
Many intel community leakers are “career bureaucrats that are entrenched in Washington politics,” officials said.
“It takes time to weed them out and fire them,” one official told Fox News Digital, adding that “plans to eliminate non-essential offices within ODNI that we know are housing deep state leakers are underway.”
A CIA official told Fox News Digital Tuesday that the National Intelligence Council “has always been a DNI component. It makes sense for them to be physically located at DNI.”
GABBARD ESTABLISHES NEW INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE TO RESTORE TRANSPARENCY
The moves come as Gabbard has taken steps to root out leakers and alleged “deep state holdovers” who officials say are politicizing intelligence analysis and “trying to sabotage President Trump’s agenda.”
FLASHBACK: BIDEN CAMPAIGN, BLINKEN ORCHESTRATED INTEL LETTER TO DISCREDIT HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY, EX-CIA OFFICIAL SAYS
So far, Gabbard has referred three intelligence community professionals to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution over alleged leaks of classified information. Fox News Digital first reported on those criminal referrals in April.
An ODNI official at that time told Fox News Digital that the intelligence community professionals allegedly leaked classified information to the Washington Post and The New York Times.
“Politicization of our intelligence and leaking classified information puts our nation’s security at risk and must end,” Gabbard told Fox News Digital in April. “Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
A senior intelligence official told Fox News Digital Tuesday that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is investigating 12 other intelligence officials over alleged leaks of classified information.
For example, officials told Fox News Digital that ODNI fired two bureaucrats in early May who they say leaked information from an assessment about the violent Tren de Aragua gang to the Times. Officials said those bureaucrats were “CIA detailees” who were fired for “not following proper procedures.”
In April, Gabbard established a task force to restore transparency and accountability in the intelligence community. Fox News Digital first reported on the Director’s Initiative Group (DIG), which started by investigating weaponization within the intelligence community.
Officials said the group will also work to root out politicization and expose unauthorized disclosures of classified intelligence. In addition, it will work to declassify information “that serves a public interest.”
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Gabbard also has held to account employees who participated in sexually explicit National Security Agency chatrooms, and is pursuing action against those who have made unauthorized leaks of classified information within the intelligence community.
All the while, officials have complained about the hold up in confirming intelligence nominees, which they say are “essential” to enacting the Trump agenda.
Currently, ODNI is without its nominees for principal deputy director of national intelligence; National Counterterrorism Center; National Counterintelligence and Security Center; intelligence inspector general; and general counsel; among others.
Dems who ‘stormed’ Newark ICE facility learn what could happen to them
FIRST ON FOX: A Republican lawmaker is moving to have three of his Democratic colleagues removed from their House committees after they were accused of “storming” a federal detention facility in defense of illegal immigrants in New Jersey.
Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., introduced a resolution on Tuesday to strip Reps. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., and LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., of their committee assignments.
The New Jersey Democrats were part of a group of protesters who rushed into Delaney Hall Detention Center after the gates opened for a bus carrying a group of detainees into the facility.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused them of breaking in and risking the safety of both law enforcement and detainees for what it called a political stunt.
BROWN UNIVERSITY IN GOP CROSSHAIRS AFTER STUDENT’S DOGE-LIKE EMAIL KICKS OFF FRENZY
The lawmakers and their supporters, however, maintained they were exercising their constitutional duty and accused ICE agents of assaulting McIver and Watson Coleman.
“The radical left has lost their minds – they would rather raid an ICE facility to defend criminal illegal immigrants than represent their own constituents,” Carter told Fox News Digital of his legislation.
“This behavior constitutes an assault on our brave ICE agents and undermines the rule of law. The three members involved in this stunt do not deserve to sit on committees alongside serious lawmakers.”
His legislation would remove Watson Coleman from the House Appropriations Committee, remove Menendez from the House Energy & Commerce Committee and remove McIver from the House committees on Small Business and Homeland Security.
Carter’s office is reaching out to other House Republicans to gauge support for the resolution.
Fox News Digital reached out to the three Democrats for comment but did not immediately hear back.
DHS said in a statement after the incident Friday, “These members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk.”
“Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour of the facility,” DHS said.
The Democrats, meanwhile, have pushed back on the Republican categorization of the event.
“The idea we ‘stormed’ a heavily guarded federal detention center is absurd – just more lies from the most dishonest administration in history,” Watson Coleman wrote on X.
ANTI-ABORTION PROVIDER MEASURE IN TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ COULD SPARK HOUSE GOP REBELLION
McIver wrote on the social platform Friday, “This is laid out clearly on ICE’s own website. What happened today, from the manhandling of me and my colleagues to the arrest of [Newark Mayor Ras Baraka], should never have occurred.”
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Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., also defended the trio.
“The concerns of elected officials about this unsanctioned facility will not be silenced by the Trump administration’s attempt to intimidate the public. We will never bend the knee,’ Jeffries said.
“The masked agents who physically accosted two Congresswomen must be identified immediately and any trumped-up charges against Mayor Baraka dropped.”
House Democrat moves to force impeachment vote against President Trump
A lone House Democrat is moving to force a chamber-wide vote on his impeachment resolution against President Donald Trump.
Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., introduced his impeachment resolution as privileged on Tuesday afternoon, meaning leaders have two days of the House in session to take up the legislation.
House GOP leaders could move to table the motion, a procedural vote aimed to scuttle a piece of legislation without having lawmakers vote on the legislation itself.
ANTI-ABORTION PROVIDER MEASURE IN TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ COULD SPARK HOUSE GOP REBELLION
But an impeachment vote would likely put vulnerable House Democrats in a tough spot.
Democrats have struggled to unite behind a potent message since the 2024 election, and such a vote could be politically perilous for their most vulnerable members as they work to win back the House majority in 2026.
No Republicans are likely to support impeaching Trump, however, meaning Thanedar’s measure will likely fail.
“Donald Trump has unlawfully conducted himself, bringing shame to the presidency and the people of the United States,” Thanedar said when deeming his resolution privileged.
BROWN UNIVERSITY IN GOP CROSSHAIRS AFTER STUDENT’S DOGE-LIKE EMAIL KICKS OFF FRENZY
Thanedar also took a swing at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), calling it a “flagrantly unconstitutional creation.”
The India-born Michigan Democrat first introduced seven articles of impeachment against Trump in late April.
They include charges of obstruction of justice, tyranny, bribery and corruption, and abuse of trade powers, among others.
But Politico reported that his resolution got off to a bumpy start.
Four Democratic co-sponsors who were originally listed on the legislation implied they were mistakenly added and then removed themselves, the outlet reported. Thanedar told Politico at the time he respected their decisions.
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Thanedar’s filing comes after Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, similarly threatened to file impeachment articles against Trump.
Green was later thrown out of Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress for repeatedly protesting the speech.
Fox News Digital reached out to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and the White House for comment on Thanedar’s move but did not immediately hear back.
Cassie describes what would happen after alleged ‘freak offs’ with Diddy
Sean “Diddy” Combs recorded the freak-offs with Cassie Ventura on video cameras in the beginning before using iPads, phones or computers, Cassie testified.
Cassie told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson that she did not want to be recorded during the sexual encounters. Following a freak-off, Diddy and Cassie would watch the videos.
Freak-offs could often include two-three sessions, Cassie testified. A freak-off could include two-three different men.
She testified that she never wanted to have additional sessions with an escort, but would follow through because “Sean would want to do more.”
On more than one occasion, freak-offs included more than one escort, Cassie said. She told the court she “didn’t want this,” and “it was more than enough.”
She felt as though the sessions were like porn and she was an object being objectified by men.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs wanted a freak-off days before Cassie Ventura’s first movie premiere, but she hesitated because she didn’t want to ruin her body before the big night, Cassie testified Tuesday.
Cassie felt as though she had to follow through with Diddy’s request or else he would have “made it miserable for me.” She testified that if she complied with his wishes, her movie premiere would go smoothly.
There was a lot of drinking during the freak-off which included an escort named Jules. In the middle of the session, Cassie testified that Diddy hit her, which caused a black eye. She attempted to leave and escaped to the hallway elevators, but the next thing she knew, she was on the ground.
She said Diddy dragged her by the back of her neck, and threw her down. After being thrown to the ground, Cassie said she covered her face and stayed there.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson asked Cassie if she hit Diddy back, to which she said, “No.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs enjoyed the process of a freak-off, and had a particular pattern he would follow, Cassie Ventura testified.
The “All About the Benjamins” rapper decided the pattern, and took pleasure in watching the baby oil be poured, touching, oral sex and then sexual intercourse.
Diddy instructed Cassie and the escort to look at each other when they were engaged in the freak-off. She would describe what was going on in detail, as “that is what turned Sean on.”
Cassie testified that the experience of describing a man’s genitalia to another man was “awkward.”
After the description process, Cassie had to ask Diddy if it was OK to move on from the touching portion with the escort to oral sex and beyond. She had to ask for permission because Diddy’s fantasy was about having “control.”
Cassie would go through the motions just to “get to the room” with Diddy alone.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura used ketamine and other drugs before freak-offs with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
During testimony in Diddy’s federal sex crimes trial, Cassie admitted she would take drugs before arriving at a hotel, and would consistently use during a freak-off as the high was wearing off.
“I needed to remain high to stay present with the experience,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson. She did this “because it was something I didn’t like doing.”
Cassie admitted that ecstasy made her feel euphoric and aroused, while ketamine would make her dissociative. Cocaine made her heart race, and mushrooms made her see things. GHB, also known as the date-rape drug, made her feel drunk.
She testified that she would almost always get sick from the drugs, and often vomited. Diddy was aware that she was sick while engaged in a freak-off.
Fox News Digital’s Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs did not want his “identity known.”
The rapper’s ex claimed Diddy would ask if the escorts needed to travel for the “freak offs.” Cassie explained she once reached out to Diddy’s travel agent and referred to an escort as a new employee in order to book the needed travel.
“It was important to Sean not to have his identity known,” she told the jury.
The jury has heard testimony about Diddy’s alleged “freak offs,” which sometimes happened at hotels or often at Diddy’s own homes, for the past two days. The “freak offs” would sometimes last for days at a time and became a job for Cassie, she testified.
“The freak-offs became a job. There was no space for anything else but to recover,” she said on the stand during Diddy’s federal sex crimes trial.
Most “freak offs” would allegedly last between 24-72 hours. She claimed the longest freak off was four days. When she wasn’t participating, she was recovering from “the drugs, dehydration, staying awake.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura claimed she used drugs during every “freak off” during her testimony Tuesday.
“For me, it was dissociative…I couldn’t imagine doing that without some sort of buffer,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.
Cassie claimed at times the escort would also take drugs. The drugs were allegedly dropped off for Cassie by Diddy’s staff and she would ask Diddy how far in advance to take them before the “freak offs.”
Cassie has spent most of Tuesday’s court day recalling details of Diddy’s “freak offs.” According to Cassie, Diddy brought up voyeurism within the first six months to a year of the couple’s relationship.
She testified that Combs paid for her entire lifestyle, which included cars, clothing and trips. In addition, the “Last Night” rapper would provide Cassie spending money.
Cassie testified her ex-boyfriend would “take things away if she wasn’t doing what she was asked.”
At times, Diddy would record videos of Cassie engaging in sex acts with male escorts during encounters he called “freak offs.” The musician testified that she worried he would release the videos to the public and claimed the blackmail hung over her head throughout their relationship.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ baby mama Misa Hylton departed the courthouse rather unceremoniously during the break in Cassie’s testimony.
Hylton has attended Diddy’s trial both days so far, showing up for opening statements on Monday and Cassie’s testimony Tuesday.
The fashion designer and stylist walked out and climbed into a car while the driver stowed her walker in the trunk. She did not answer any questions from reporters.
Hylton and Diddy dated in the early 1990s. The two share a son, Justin Combs, who was born in December 1993.
Justin has also attended both days of Diddy’s trial.
Fox News’ Brendan McDonald contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura was tasked with recruiting freak-off participants for sexual escapades with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson asked Cassie what kind of conversations she would have with Diddy about the escorts.
The pregnant model testified Tuesday that she never reached out for escorts independently, and Diddy wanted to make sure the person was “safe” and not a cop.
She would save the escorts name in her phone with the abbreviated word “strip,” she said.
When Cassie would reach out, she told the escorts her husband was into voyeurism and liked to watch her with another man.
She was required to tell the escort that it was “her husband’s fantasy” and would then tell them how she wanted to please Diddy.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
At some point, Cassie Ventura allegedly became responsible for locating male escorts to participate in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ “freak offs.”
Cassie found the escorts through “Cowboys for Angels” or Craigslist. Cassie testified that she did not post ads, but would respond to them. She explained communication always occurred via text and noted she often didn’t give much notice when an escort was needed.
Cassie testified she would show a photo of the potential escort to Diddy to see if he was a person of interest.
The musician claimed Diddy had contacts with escorts and would reach out as well. She explained she never reached out to escorts independently.
When Cassie would reach out, she would allegedly tell the escorts her husband was into voyeurism and liked to watch her with another man.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura described the physical and emotional toll from the freak-offs while on the stand for Sean “Diddy” Combs federal trial.
Diddy’s ex-girlfriend testified there were times when the fallen music mogul “would pee himself” or have an escort “pee on me.”
She said she did not want Diddy or escorts relieving themselves on her. “It was a turn on for him, so it happened,” Cassie testified.
She added, “It was humiliating … just too much,” but it was “a position I just couldn’t easily get out of.”
Cassie testified that linens were also ruined during the freak-offs.
While at the helm of the organization, officials claimed Combs and a number of un-named associates in the Combs Enterprise, used intimidation tactics to “lure female victims into Combs’ orbit, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship.”
He would then use “force, threats of force, and coercion, to cause victims to engage in extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers that Combs referred to as, among other things, ‘Freak Offs,'” according to the indictment.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs once forced her into a baby oil-filled pool.
During Tuesday’s testimony, Diddy’s ex described how the rapper allegedly liked to use baby oil during the “freak offs.”
Cassie recalled one instance when there was a blow up pool they filled with oil. She explained she got in because “you couldn’t say no.” Cassie was concerned about Combs’ temper if she didn’t get in, the singer-songwriter told the prosecutor.
Cassie testified that the supplies for the “freak offs,” baby oil, Astroglide, lubricants and condoms, were provided by Diddy’s assistants or security.
All participants in the “freak offs” used baby oil, according to Cassie. She claimed it was always heated, per Diddy’s request. Baby oil was used so they were “glistening,” she said. Diddy allegedly had them apply the oil every 5 minutes.
“If he felt you were too dry, he would let you know…you need to be shining,” she told the jury. Diddy would direct the “freak offs,” but Cassie “knew what to do.” She testified it was “a very choreographed experience.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura became emotional during Tuesday’s testimony.
The former girlfriend of Sean “Diddy” Combs claimed it would be impossible to recall all the “freak offs.”
“I felt pretty horrible about myself,” she told the jury. “I was disgusted. I felt humiliated.”
Cassie said she couldn’t talk about it with anyone, but continued to experience violence from Diddy.
She admitted there were parts of the “freak offs” she enjoyed. Cassie began crying as she explained she felt close to him during the “freak offs” because it was the only time she could be intimate with him. Cassie continued, saying that when you really love someone you don’t want to disappoint them. She became emotional again recalling her experience.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson asked about Cassie talking to Combs “gently.”
Cassie claimed doing the “freak offs” made her “feel horrible” and “worthless” as she choked up again.
Diddy was allegedly dismissive of her concerns. He would call her and she would “back peddle,” Cassie testified.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura was required to show Sean “Diddy” Combs the outfits she purchased for any of the freak-offs and receive his approval before wearing them.
Diddy requested she wear a wig and “stripper, dancer shoes” with an extremely high heel. She was instructed to keep the shoes on throughout the freak-off.
She testified that it would take “all day” for her to prepare for a freak-off, which included getting her hair and nails done, in addition to waxing and tanning.
Cassie also pierced her nipples and had a clitoris piercing at the request of Diddy. She admitted she thought the piercings looked cool.
“Freak-offs” were “elaborate produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded,” according to the indictment.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
During Cassie Ventura’s testimony, she revealed Sean “Diddy” Combs requested she call him by her grandfather’s nickname.
“It was weird,” Cassie said of the nickname while on the stand.
The prosecution showed the jury an email between Diddy and Cassie. The email was from baby girl (Cassie) to Pop Pop (Diddy).
The subject line read “I really need to f—.” Diddy replied asking who she planned to sleep with. Cassie testified she sent the email “because I wanted to be with him” referring to Combs.
Cassie claimed she wanted to have sex with Diddy, not the escorts during their relationship.
Testimony about the email continued with Cassie saying she responded, “I want to f— you…are you crazy.”
Cassie became emotional multiple times while testifying about the “freak offs” that occurred with Diddy. She emphasized that she did not want to participate in the sexual encounters but felt she had no choice due to Combs’ angry outbursts.
Her attempts to tell Diddy she did not want to do the “freak offs” anymore ended with her back peddling, she testified.
“I didn’t want to make him angry,” she told the prosecutor.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs was in control of every “freak off.”
“Every freak off was directed by Sean…,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson. Combs would tell her where she would be, what the lighting was, etc. During the first “freak off,” Cassie claimed she was wearing an outfit from a sex store, something with “really high platform shoes.” She also wore a masquerade mask.
Cassie told the jury she took ecstasy before the “freak off.” The singer said she was high “so there wasn’t too much feeling…a mixture of dirty and confusion…he’s happy with me, so I did something right…”
She claimed the next “freak off” occurred shortly after. Cassie testified she experienced the same nervousness, “What am I going to do. I can’t say no.” She “ultimately said yes.”
“I didn’t want to make him upset,” she told the assistant U.S. attorney. “I didn’t want to make him angry.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Throughout their 12-year relationship, Cassie Ventura lived in fear of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Cassie read an email on the stand Tuesday she sent to the “I’ll Be Missing You” singer
where she told him she wanted to be with him sexually, not the escorts. She asked to no longer participate in the freak-offs.
She tried to back peddle after she sent the note because she “didn’t want to make him angry.”
Cassie backtracked in the email and told Diddy it wasn’t how she truly felt because she “didn’t want him to be upset.”
“He was a scary person,” she testified. “He was violent.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie testified she tried the freak-off” because she wanted to keep Sean “Diddy” Combs in good spirits.
“I wanted to make him happy,” she said. “I loved him.”
She recalled the first sexually-charged party taking place at one of his homes.
Prosecutors presented photos of the escort who participated in the first freak-off, to which Cassie couldn’t recall his name. She understood him to be a dancer, though.
Cassie was aware that the escort was paid to both entertain and dance, in addition to having intercourse with her. Diddy paid for the escort.
She took ecstasy before the freak-off, and wore an outfit from a sex shop that included “really high platform shoes.”
After taking the drugs, Cassie said Diddy spoke with the escort who would dance while Diddy watched.
“Every freak off was directed by Sean,” Cassie testified, which included her positions, the lighting, etc. Eventually they were instructed to put baby oil on each other.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura described Sean “Diddy” Combs’ “fantasy” of seeing her with another man while on the stand Tuesday.
According to Cassie, Diddy brought up voyeurism within the first six months to a year of the couple’s relationship. The musician was in her early 20s when she began a romantic relationship with Diddy. The rapper also allegedly introduced Cassie to swinging, or the act of switching partners with another couple.
Cassie testified she was “shocked” and “didn’t know how to react” to Combs’ fantasy. At this point, Diddy had allegedly been violent with Cassie. She admitted she was afraid of upsetting him and “really nervous.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura had access to each of the safes in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ homes, she testified.
Each of the safes were stocked with “cash, jewelry, sometimes tapes, SD cards, cameras and guns.”
Cassie testified that Diddy had weapons in his homes in Los Angeles, Miami and New York.
She often saw the guns “laying out” when not secured in a safe.
Members of the Combs Enterprise, including his personal security detail, at times carried firearms, according to the indictment. Combs was accused of carrying or brandishing a firearm to “intimidate and threaten others, including victims of and witnesses to his abuse.”
Officials seized firearms and ammunition from Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami during the March 25, 2024 raid, which included three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers, as well as a drum magazine.
Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura
claimed the rapper was “very involved” in her appearance throughout the decade the two dated.
Appearance was allegedly “very important” to Diddy. She claimed he told her how to dress, some days sexy, other days like a tom boy. “He was very involved,” Cassie told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.
Once Combs even told her she looked “too Mexican” with her hair done a certain way, Cassie claimed.
According to Cassie’s testimony, Diddy was also very specific about how she looked during the “freak offs.” She explained he liked her nails to be white or French tip during the sexual encounters. Diddy was also concerned with the appearance of Cassie’s physical body.
They had discussions about breast implants, she testified. At the time, Cassie said she didn’t have much body and was still developing, and Diddy allegedly made comments about working out and keeping her shape a certain way.
“I had to look a certain way during the freak offs,” she said, alleging Diddy commented on her appearance daily.
Cassie testified she was not shocked by the comments, but they did wear on her.
“My self worth took a hit…” she admitted on the stand.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs paid for her entire lifestyle, which included cars, clothing and trips.
In addition, the “Last Night” rapper would provide Cassie spending money.
Cassie said her ex-boyfriend would “take things away if she wasn’t doing what she was asked.”
Diddy kicked her out of the house and took her jewelry away. Cassie said he also took away her “self confidence” by his actions.
Laptops and phones were taken at his discretion as punishment. Diddy would deem when she could have her items back.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Lunch break is over. Cassie is back on the stand wearing a coat over her brown dress.
Judge Arun Subramanian asked if it was too cold in the courtroom. The direct examination of Cassie is resuming.
Cassie has been testifying about her 10-year long relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs. She told the jury about the alleged abuse she experienced at the hands of Diddy and explained how she first was introduced to the “freak offs.”
Diddy’s family has been in court Tuesday to support the rapper. His mother, Janice Combs, and his kids left for the short lunch break and returned without speaking to the press.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this post.
During her testimony Tuesday, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, clarified that their relationship was not always exclusive.
Cassie confirmed she sometimes saw other men while Diddy engaged with other women, making her “insanely jealous.”
“I didn’t get that he was him, Puff Daddy, and Puff Daddy has many women,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.
While testifying, Cassie detailed the beginning of her relationship with Combs. After meeting in 2005, they began a professional relationship and Diddy signed Cassie to his record label.
A few years later, things turned romantic between the two. When she turned 21, Diddy allegedly began to invite her to meet with him at hotels. Cassie testified she felt “sneaky” with the hotel visits, but wanted to be around him.
The singer-songwriter explained she wanted to be around Diddy because he was an exciting, entertaining, fun guy who had her career in his hands. Cassie said she felt special.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Prosecutors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial presented a number of exhibits showing the four houses he rented for Cassie to live in while they were in Los Angeles.
One map showed the distance between one of Diddy’s houses from an apartment Cassie lived in, and that she would be able to drive or walk between the residences.
Diddy had keys to each of the residences and would visit “whenever he wanted,” Cassie testified.
He would come by “frequently … a lot,” she said, and the visits were mostly unannounced.
Cassie described the feeling of her “stomach in knots” because she didn’t know what would come from any of the visits with Diddy.
The only “freedom” she had was from a Studio City home she paid for herself, which Diddy accepted.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
During a side-bar moment and out of the presence of the jury, Diddy’s defense made a point of Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, being present in the courtroom.
Before Cassie took the stand, Diddy’s lawyers claimed they may need to call Fine as a witness when presenting their side and requested that he not be present for his wife’s testimony about the alleged rape.
The prosecution said they don’t see how Cassie’s husband can be called to testify about an alleged rape between Cassie and Combs. The government also requested more notice of future witnesses the defense expects to call.
Cassie and Fine began dating in 2018 and married the following year. They welcomed their first child two months after their wedding and their second in March 2021.
In February 2025, Cassie and Fine announced they were pregnant with their third child.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie testified that freak-offs with Sean “Diddy” Combs would last for days at a time.
“The freak-offs became a job. There was no space for anything else but to recover,” she said on the stand during Diddy’s federal sex crimes trial.
Cassie recorded hundreds of songs during their relationship, but only some of the music was released. She said when she wasn’t working on music, she was “recovering.”
The freak-offs would last between 24-72 hours. She recalled the longest freak-off was four days. When she wasn’t participating, she was recovering from “the drugs, dehydration, staying awake.”
“Freak-offs” were “elaborate produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded,” according to the indictment.
Combs and his staff allegedly transported commercial sex workers across state lines and internationally for the “Freak Offs,” which regularly occurred and sometimes lasted multiple days, often including multiple sex workers.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura described Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mood swings and how they impacted her during Tuesday’s trial testimony.
Cassie, who dated Diddy from 2007 until 2018, claimed Diddy’s mood varied and could change during a conversation that she had nothing to do with.
“It swung different ways, quite a bit,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson. At times, she would notice Combs become agitated, zoned out, lose focus or become angry.
Cassie claimed Diddy’s mood swings sometimes led to abuse, telling the jury that “making the wrong face” could get her hit.
Diddy would also inform her that she was “being a brat” if she wasn’t smiling.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura testified she handed over evidence regarding Sean “Diddy” Combs to the United States government in December 2023.
Cassie had settled a civil lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs just a month prior. In her lawsuit, Cassie specifically accused Diddy of raping her in her own home and forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while he watched and filmed. The R&B singer also alleged Diddy “punched, beat, kicked and stomped” on her.
The rapper denied Cassie’s allegations at the time.
“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” Cassie told Fox News Digital in a statement at the time. “With the expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life.”
The former couple settled the lawsuit outside of court just one day later.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs signed Cassie Ventura to a contract with his Bad Boy Records label in 2006 when she was 19.
She released one album with the disgraced rapper in 2006.
Before she met Diddy, Cassie was a fan of his music and knew he was “larger than life,” but was unaware of his personal life.
She testified to feeling “special” being around the “Last Night” singer, who was “exciting, entertaining and a fun guy who had her career in his hands.”
After a trip to Miami, Cassie became one of his girlfriends, despite assuming they were in a “monogamous relationship.” She says she was his “shadow” and she experienced her “first real adult relationship.”
She recalled his lifestyle being different, and said he received “respect from everyone.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie described the rapper as “really polarizing” during her trial testimony Tuesday.
At times, Diddy would record videos of Cassie engaging in sex acts with male escorts during encounters he called “freak offs.” The musician testified that she worried he would release the videos to the public and claimed the blackmail hung over her head throughout their relationship.
“Sean’s a really polarizing person,” Cassie told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson. “He’s also really charming…hard to decide what he needs…I just didn’t know what would happen.”
The blackmail materials included videos of the “freak offs” and sometimes even included Diddy himself, Cassie testified.
When Diddy first proposed the concept of the “freak offs” to Cassie, she was confused. Cassie testified she was nervous, but also loved Diddy very much and wanted to make him happy.
Over time, Cassie claimed the “freak offs” became something she didn’t want to do but continued to because Diddy would ask. It allegedly got to the point where she felt she had no choice.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, testified Tuesday that she was “nervous” about participating in freak-offs with the disgraced music mogul.
Cassie admitted she “didn’t have a concept of how” they would be a turn on for Diddy, but also “loved him very much and wanted to make him happy.”
The former couple met in 2005 and ended their relationship in 2018.
Cassie said that over time, the freak-offs became something she didn’t want to do, but she continued because Diddy would ask, and “it got to the point where she didn’t feel like she had a choice.” She feared what a “no” could turn into.
Ultimately, Diddy “controlled a lot of my life,” from her career, to the way that she dressed, Cassie testified. She was “young, naive, and wasn’t sure if he would get violent.”
Cassie accused Diddy of rape and years of abuse in a bombshell lawsuit filed in November 2023, but one day later, the former couple settled the suit for an undisclosed sum.
Fox News Digital’s Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie testified Tuesday about the years of abuse she allegedly endured during their relationship.
The two dated from 2007 until 2018 before ending things. Cassie testified that there were breaks in the relationship, which was often violent.
Diddy and Cassie’s “violent arguments would usually result in some sort of physical abuse,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson. Cassie described Diddy smashing her in the head, dragging her, and kicking her.
Cassie testified Diddy was violent “too frequently.”
At times, the violent outbursts allegedly injured Cassie. The 38-year-old singer-songwriter claimed she dealt with knocks in the forehead, busted lips, black eyes and bruises all over her body.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Cassie Ventura took the stand at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old musician is set to testify about her allegedly abusive relationship with Diddy. The two dated on and off from 2007 until 2018. When Cassie met Diddy, she was 19 years old and signed to his record label. A few years later, Diddy allegedly “lured” her into a relationship.
Cassie claimed she endured “over a decade” of Diddy’s “violent behavior and disturbed demands” in a lawsuit filed in November 2023. She settled the lawsuit with Diddy outside of court just one day after filing.
“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” she told Fox News Digital in a statement at the time. “With the expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life.”
Cassie’s claims in her civil lawsuit are at the heart of Diddy’s federal indictment. The musician claimed Combs would force her into having sex with male escorts at hotels during encounters he labeled “freak offs.”
A male escort, who had multiple sexual encounters with Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie, recalled the aftermath of an alleged physical altercation between the two during Tuesday testimony.
Daniel Phillip told Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey that after Diddy allegedly beat Cassie, he tried to get the male escort to have sex with the singer. However, Phillip explained that he couldn’t. He testified that he was “completely in my head…I was completely shocked…”
At the time, Phillip could see “that [Cassie] was afraid…really upset…could see in her face she was crying a lot.”
Phillip recalled sitting on the couch with Cassie while she allegedly grabbed at his shoulders. But the escort claimed he “was completely messed up” and couldn’t engage.
Comey asked Phillip again what Combs said to the escort and Cassie after the alleged beating. Phillip testified that Combs asked if they were ready to go, which meant if they were ready to have sex.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Male escort Daniel Phillip admitted on the stand he would have dated Cassie if given the chance.
Phillip revealed during cross-examination Tuesday that he developed romantic feelings for Cassie during their encounters. He told Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyer, Xavier Donaldson, that he would have dated Cassie if she would have let him.
However, the male escort told Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey that he never spoke with Cassie outside of the sexual encounters with the singer and Combs. Phillip also claimed Cassie never responded to his texts if he initiated conversation with her.
Phillip testified about his first sexual encounter with Combs and Cassie on Monday. The male escort claimed he arrived under the pretense that he was stripping for a bachelorette party.
The male escort met with Cassie and Diddy multiple times. Each encounter between the trio would last anywhere from one hour to 10 hours, he testified Monday.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Male escort Daniel Phillip testified on Tuesday that Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie didn’t appear high or drunk during their first sexual encounter.
Phillip told Diddy’s lawyer Xavier Donaldson that he also did not see Cassie take any drugs.
The male escort was called as the prosecution’s second witness on Monday and described an incident that took place at the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York. He claimed he initially believed he was going to a bachelorette party and would be stripping. Once he arrived, Cassie allegedly requested the male escort rub baby oil on her. She also told him her “husband” was there, but that he was not gay and wouldn’t touch him.
The male escort testified that he didn’t recognize Diddy at first because his face was covered, but knew it was the rapper once he spoke.
Phillip also testified that he saw or heard Diddy become violent with Cassie at least two times.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs was known just as much for his music as he was for his lavish lifestyle and hosting opulent parties for A-list celebrity friends.
In the wake of his federal indictment, Hollywood’s elite gained unwanted attention and scrutiny due to their recent and past ties to the music mogul despite not being implicated in Diddy’s criminal case.
Ashton Kutcher and Diddy had a yearslong friendship, and collaborated in both entertainment and philanthropic events.
Usher was introduced to Diddy in 1994, and lived with Diddy when he was just a teenager.
During an interview with Rolling Stone in 2004, Usher said Diddy “introduced me to a totally different set of s—, sex, specifically. … There was always girls around. You’d open a door and see somebody doing it, or several people in a room having an orgy.”
Diddy’s relationship with Justin Bieber began when the “Sorry” singer had recently embarked on his career.
In a resurfaced 2009 video from Bieber’s YouTube channel, “Bieber’s 48 Hours with Diddy,” Diddy tells the camera, “Where we’re hanging out and what we’re doing, we can’t really disclose, but it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream.”
These celebrities have not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial resumed Tuesday with the prosecution’s second witness.
Daniel Phillip, a male escort, testified Monday that he witnessed the rapper grab ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura by the hair following one meet-up.
During one encounter at Cassie’s home, Phillip recalled witnessing what he believed was a liquor bottle fly across the room after Cassie didn’t immediately respond to Diddy’s calling.
Diddy then allegedly “grabbed Cassie by her hair” and dragged her to a bedroom, where Phillip recalled hearing Cassie screaming. He claimed some of the noises sounded like Combs slamming Cassie.
Phillip alleged hearing Cassie beg for forgiveness, only to hear Diddy threaten her, “B—h, when I tell you to come, you come.”
The jury also heard from Israel Florez, the former security guard at the Intercontinental Hotel. Combs and Cassie got into a physical altercation in March 2016 at the hotel, as seen in surveillance video previously published by CNN.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich and Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs arrived at court for the second day of his sex trafficking trial.
Judge Arun Subramanian took the bench at 9:16am ET. Diddy entered the courtroom about a minute later wearing a sweater. The rapper hugged his lawyers and turned to face his family briefly.
Court is set to resume with the prosecution’s second witness, male escort Daniel Phillip. Yesterday, Phillip testified about various sexual encounters he had with Diddy and Cassie. He described acts they had him perform and products they used, including the baby oil. The escort also testified about two instances where he saw and/or heard Diddy abuse Cassie.
Diddy appeared calm before opening statements on Monday. He sat reading the Bible as he waited for jury selection to begin.
The prosecution claimed Combs ran a criminal enterprise for 20 years and described the violent relationships he had with both Cassie and an anonymous woman, “Jane.” They accused Diddy of using lies, drugs, threats and violence to force Cassie and Jane to have sex with escorts. Diddy would record the encounters and threaten to release the videos if the women didn’t comply with his demands, according to the prosecution.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ family returned to the courtroom Tuesday to continue their support of the disgraced music mogul.
Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs arrived ahead of court, along with a his children Justin, Christian, Quincy, Chance, Jesse and D’Lila. The family was also joined by Chance’s mom, Sarah Chapman.
His kids spoke out about their father’s arrest in October, a month after Diddy was arrested in NYC.
“The past month has devastated our family,” they wrote in a joint post shared in October. “Many have judged both him and us based on accusations, conspiracy theories, and false narratives that have spiraled into absurdity on social media.”
“We stand united, supporting you every step of the way. We hold onto the truth, knowing it will prevail, and nothing will break the strength of our family. WE MISS YOU & LOVE YOU DAD.”
Janice previously defended Diddy in a statement shared with Fox News Digital at the time.
“It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies,” Janice Combs wrote, in part, this past October. “To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words. Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos arrived at court Tuesday.
Teny, the daughter of famed lawyer Mark Geragos, signed on to represent the disgraced music mogul shortly after Diddy was arrested and charged with federal sex crimes in September.
Teny graduated from Loyola Law School Los Angeles in 2016 and worked with Brafman & Associates for eight years before becoming a founding partner of Agnifilo Intrater.
The disgraced music mogul may benefit in court by having a woman lead his defense, criminal defense lawyer Jo-Anna Nieves explained to Fox News Digital.
Her presence in the courtroom defending Diddy “sends an unspoken message to the jury that ‘if a smart, credible woman like Geragos doesn’t believe these allegations, maybe you shouldn’t either,'” Nieves said.
“This can especially impact jurors who are on the fence.”
Teny led opening statements telling the jury, “Sean Combs is a complicated man, but this is not a complicated case.”
She accused the government of trying to turn a real-life relationship into a sex-trafficking and racketeering case. The defense lawyer admitted to Combs’ violence, telling the jury they will see “indefensible” behavior from Diddy.
Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright and Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty to an updated version of the federal indictment against the rapper during a March court hearing.
Diddy, 55, appeared in a Manhattan courtroom wearing a tan jumpsuit, and showed noticeably grayer hair.
His mother, Janice Combs, and four of his children were present in the courtroom. At the end of the hearing, Diddy turned to his family and blew a two-handed kiss.
The new indictment against Diddy lengthened the timeline of his alleged sex-trafficking and racketeering behavior and added two more unnamed victims.
The prosecution also accused the “Last Night” rapper of forcing employees to work long hours by threatening them with physical or reputational harm and forcing an employee to engage in a sexual encounter with the musician.
The sides also discussed evidence to be used during trial – including footage previously obtained by CNN and shared publicly showing Diddy assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Prosecutors argued this was critical evidence for their case against Diddy, while his team claimed the video was deceptive. The rapper’s legal team said a forensic analysis of the video showed it had been sped up and the order of events had been changed.
CNN denied the allegations in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The prosecution expects the government’s case to take six weeks to lay out, while Diddy’s legal team estimates needing two weeks to argue the rapper’s defense.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing prison time following his arrest in September 2024 on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
If found guilty, the music mogul is facing a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. He was denied a proposed $50 million bail during a federal court hearing shortly after his arrest and has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York since.
“Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this to the end,” Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said outside the courthouse after Diddy’s arraignment. “He’s innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence. He’s not afraid. He’s not afraid of the charges.”
The prosecution expects the government’s case to take six weeks to lay out, while Diddy’s legal team estimates needing two weeks to argue the rapper’s defense.
Diddy has denied the allegations against him.
For years, Sean “Diddy” Combs had been known to be one of the most successful, multifaceted artists in the industry.
From producing multi-platinum records for various artists to founding Bad Boy Enterprises to throwing the most extravagant parties, the fallen music mogul arrested on multiple sex trafficking charges in September has been a topic of conversation for quite some time.
Despite nostalgic hits such as “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and producing songs for stars like Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez, some fans are now questioning whether the allegations warrant a boycott of his music.
“So are we boycotting Diddy’s music for sure? If I stop listening to the songs he made/produced/collaborated on I’m going to lose 80% of the music from my era and I’m all about the throwbacks! Panicking!!” one X user wrote at the time.
With Diddy’s career and legacy in question, the popularity of his music is bound to take a hit.
This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News’ Christina Dugan Ramirez .
The federal judge in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking case dealt the rapper a huge blow just weeks before the start of his trial.
Judge Arun Subramanian previously denied Diddy’s motion to exclude video evidence from the trial of the rapper physically assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
The defense argued the video, initially published by CNN, had been digitally altered. The prosecution claimed minor adjustments had been made and noted the person who shot the video would be testifying during the estimated two-month trial.
Diddy’s team also began to mount the rapper’s defense against the sex trafficking charges lobbed at the disgraced music mogul, claiming he was just a “swinger.” The argument provided by the defense comes as the prosecution revealed Diddy rejected a plea deal offer.
This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News’ Lauryn Overhultz and Kirill Clark.
While Sean “Diddy” Combs faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges, an old video interview of the rapper resurfaced with him joking about locking women in at parties.
In a 2002 interview, the music mogul appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien
” and explained the “ingredients” for a “killer party.”
“Women, beautiful women, of course,” Combs shared with O’Brien. “Beautiful men for the ladies, of course.
“There’s enough ladies to go around. You have to give the ladies what they need too. You have to take care of your women. You can’t force the situation.”
He continued to say that “alcohols” is a requirement at the party, in addition to water.
“A lot of ladies drink water at parties. So, if you don’t have what they need, they’re going to leave. Got to keep them there. You need locks on the doors. It’s a little kinky.”
This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News’ Stephanie Giang-Paunon.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security officials on March 25, 2024, in connection to a federal human trafficking investigation.
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners,” Homeland Security Investigations said in a statement. “We will provide further information as it becomes available.”
In September, Diddy was arrested and officially charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty.
In an unsealed indictment, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams revealed a number of shocking allegations against the fallen “Bad Boy” entertainment tycoon.
While at the helm of the organization, officials claimed Diddy and a number of un-named associates in the Combs Enterprise, used intimidation tactics to “lure female victims into Combs’ orbit, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship.”
Authorities seized “freak off supplies” along with three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers and ammunition, court docs stated. The feds took “cases and cases of the kinds of personal lubricant and baby oil that Combs’ staff allegedly used to stock hotel rooms for the freak offs – more than 1,000 bottles altogether,” Williams said at a press conference.
Bombshell report shines light on presence of CCP spies at top American university
A bombshell report out of Stanford University shed light on the influence of spies from the Chinese Communist Party that the student newspaper says have likely infiltrated the prestigious institution and other universities nationwide to gather intelligence.
The report, published by the Stanford Review, tells the story of a Stanford student working on sensitive research at the school – and given the name “Anna” to protect her identity – receiving unexpected messages from a man with the alias Charles Chen asking about seemingly harmless topics like networking opportunities.
Those messages soon took a “strange turn,” according to the outlet when Chen’s questions became more personal, asking Anna if she spoke Mandarin, encouraging her to visit Beijing on a trip he would pay for, and referencing details she had never disclosed to him.
Charles advised Anna on how to enter China briefly enough to avoid visa scrutiny from authorities, told her to only communicate through the CCP-monitored WeChat and told her to delete screenshots.
BLUE STATE GOVERNOR TOUTS MEETING WITH CCP OFFICIAL COZYING UP TO DEMS: ‘GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY’
“Under the guidance of experts familiar with espionage tactics, Anna contacted authorities,” the article explains.
“Their investigation revealed that Charles Chen had no affiliation with Stanford. Instead, he had posed as a Stanford student for years, slightly altering his name and persona online, targeting multiple students, nearly all of them women researching China-related topics. According to the experts on China who assisted Anna, Charles Chen was likely an agent of the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS), tasked with identifying sympathetic Stanford students and gathering intelligence.”
Fox News Digital spoke to students involved in the article who explained that there are three major takeaways from the findings of the report.
“Number one, what we saw was a full apparatus for extracting information so they would hit the students they wanted, then two, they would administer loyalty tests and three they would demand the information be sent back,” one of the students said.
In some cases, if the students refuse to provide information to the CCP, their parents are threatened back home and sometimes interrogated by police, according to the students who spoke to some Chinese international students.
NEW REPORT WARNS OF GROWING NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT TO U.S. AS CHINA BUILDS AI: ‘SIGNIFICANT AND CONCERNING’
‘To be very clear, what they said is that every Chinese international student at any time can be asked by the CCP to disclose their research information,” Fox News Digital was told.
“So what that looks like is, potentially weekly calls with the Chinese ambassador back in China, where they will explain what research they’re doing and if it is particularly sensitive technologies like AI and robotics. This is where the majority of the CCP targeting is happening. They’ll ask them to send back not just public information, they’ll also send back internal lab reports, future directions of the research, recorded conversations with the professor, the methodologies, the other participants in the research, particularly if they’re Chinese international students so they can look for other ones.”
The Stanford Review story points out that the House Select Committee on China sent a letter to Stanford last year warning of the risks that China poses to STEM research.
The article also explained how concerns about a Chinese spy presence in China have “quietly persisted” for “years” and claimed that several people who were contacted were too afraid to speak publicly.
“One student who experienced espionage firsthand was too fearful to recount their story, even via encrypted messaging,” the article states.
“‘The risk is too high,’ they explained. “Transnational repression, $64 million in Chinese funding, and allegations of racial profiling have contributed to a pervasive culture of silence at Stanford and beyond.”
The authors of the article, after interviewing dozens of people in and around the university, summed up their findings by saying, “The CCP is orchestrating a widespread intelligence-gathering campaign at Stanford.”
“In short, ‘there are Chinese spies at Stanford.’”
NEWSOM’S TIES TO CCP UNDER MICROSCOPE IN NEW BOOK EXPOSING ALLEGED CORRUPTION: ‘FLEECED AMERICAN CITIZENS’
Fox News Digital spoke to former California GOP Congressman Michelle Steel about the report, and she explained that hundreds of millions of dollars are pouring in from China to prestigious universities. She called the situation “very dangerous.”
“President Trump is totally right,” Steel said. “China is the biggest threat to all other industries, but especially universities.”
Hudson Institute senior fellow Michael Sobolik, who recently published an article urging the U.S. to “stop giving Beijing an advantage through TikTok,” told Fox News Digital that “sunlight is the best disinfectant” in this situation.
“If Stanford is worried about foreign espionage and coercion on its campus – and it should be – then its leadership will need to call it out publicly,” Sobolik said.
“Thus far, woke politics have deterred Stanford from speaking out. That’s insane, and it rebounds to Beijing’s benefit. The CCP is one of the most racist political organizations in the world, and it hides behind the Chinese people as a shield,” he continued. “If Americans are afraid to call the party out, we implicitly advance the CCP’s narrative that there’s no difference between the Chinese people and the CCP.”
In a statement, Stanford University said it “takes its commitment to national security with the utmost seriousness, and we are acutely aware of the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to all research universities.”
“Stanford has rigorous policies and processes in place to ensure that research by its faculty and students is conducted in a manner that safeguards America’s interests. Stanford does not conduct classified or secret research,” the statement continued. “Stanford has a university-wide process for reporting threats to research security, and carefully assesses all reports. Stanford consults with federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to ensure our policies and procedures are rigorous and protect national security.”
The university added that it is “looking into” the Stanford Review report and has reached out to federal law enforcement, adding that it is “very important to distinguish between threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party, and Chinese and Chinese-American faculty and students who are at Stanford to learn and contribute to the generation of knowledge, and are valued members of our community.”
Steel and the Stanford students told Fox News Digital that while it is important not to generalize and make assumptions about all Chinese students, it is the students from China who are ultimately the victims in this situation as they are coerced and sometimes punished by the CCP.
“We really have to protect these innocent students, innocent Chinese Americans, but at the same time we really have to vet those students coming in or anybody, even diplomats, they’re coming in, we really have to vet them,” Steel said.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., for comment on the report and received a statement denying the allegations.
“The above reports are full of false information, delusional speculation, political lies and ideological prejudice,” spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. “China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes this.”
“China-US educational cooperation has not only expanded the channels for students of the two countries and enhanced the understanding between the two peoples, but also promoted the economic prosperity and scientific and technological innovation of the United States, which is in the interests of both sides,” the statement continued.
“We urge the US to stop generalizing national security, stop slandering Chinese students, and stop stigmatizing, politicizing and instrumentalizing normal educational exchanges. Effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students studying abroad, and do not take discriminatory and restrictive measures against Chinese students.”
MLB removes Pete Rose, other banned players from permanently ineligible list
The road to get Pete Rose into Cooperstown took a tremendous step forward on Tuesday.
Rose, MLB’s all-time hit king who was ousted for gambling, has been removed from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that players’ ineligibility from the game ends upon their deaths.
“Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game,” Manfred wrote in a letter, obtained by ESPN, to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov. “Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.”
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MLB made the announcement in a press release.
“This issue has never been formally addressed by Major League Baseball, but an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision on this unprecedented issue in the modern era as Mr. Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list. Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLB’s policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual,” MLB said.
Rose finally admitted to gambling in 2004 after years of pleading his innocence. He died last September and predicted 10 days before his death that he would not make the Hall of Fame until after he died, if at all.
It was found that Rose gambled on the Reds, only to win, while he was both a manager and a player.
President Donald Trump announced back in March that he would pardon Rose, who served five months in prison in 1990 and, in 2017, was also accused of statutory rape from an alleged incident decades prior.
YANKEES’ OSWALDO CABRERA LEAVES GAME IN AMBULANCE AFTER AWKWARD SLIDE AT HOME PLATE
“Major League Baseball didn’t have the courage or decency to put the late, great, Pete Rose, also known as ‘Charlie Hustle,’ into the Baseball Hall of fame. Now he is dead, will never experience the thrill of being selected, even though he was a FAR BETTER PLAYER than most of those who made it, and can only be named posthumously. WHAT A SHAME!” Trump posted.
“Anyway, over the next few weeks I will be signing a complete PARDON of Pete Rose, who shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on HIS TEAM WINNING. He never betted against himself, or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history, and won more games than anyone in sports history. Baseball, which is dying all over the place, should get off its fat, lazy a–, and elect Pete Rose, even though far too late, into the Baseball Hall of Fame!”
Trump and Manfred met last month.
In 1991, two years after Rose was banned by A. Bartlett Giamatti, the National Baseball Hall of Fame voted to make those ineligible from baseball also ineligible for potential induction into Cooperstown. It is not yet clear when Rose will be up for a vote, but ESPN notes it will likely be up to the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which considers players whose careers ended more than 15 years ago. They do not meet until December 2027, and he would need 12 of the 16 votes to get in.
Manfred’s decision comes one day before the Reds host “Pete Rose Night.” Rose had applied for reinstatement several times, but Manfred declined, at one time citing a “risk of future violation.”
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The ruling also effectively increases “Shoeless” Joe Jackson’s chances of getting into Cooperstown. It is widely assumed to have taken part in the 1919 Black Sox scandal – seven others were then banned from the game for fixing the World Series that year.
In total, 17 players are now baseball eligible.
Bill Belichick makes emphatic statement on girlfriend’s role with UNC football
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick made clear on Tuesday that Jordon Hudson “doesn’t have anything to do” with the football program.
It was Belichick’s first remarks since the CBS interview debacle, which featured Hudson interrupting a question about their relationship and dueling statements about how the interview went down.
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He appeared on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” as the ACC’s Spring Meetings got underway and was asked by Christine Williamson how the off-field drama has impacted his ability to coach the team.
“That’s really off to the side. That’s a personal relationship and she doesn’t have anything to do with UNC football,” Belichick said.
“I’m excited to be back in the coaches’ meetings and getting ready for June and August when we get to training camp. June will be a big recruiting month for us and then August we start getting ready for the season.”
Hudson may not have an official role within the program, but email correspondence within the athletics department appeared to show she was a part of his media team in some capacity.
Hudson emailed school officials showing concern about “salacious” commentary on social media, The Athletic reported last month.
“Is there anyone monitoring the UNC Football page for slanderous commentary and subsequently deleting it / blocking users that are harassing BB in the comments?” Hudson reportedly asked on Feb. 13.
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Belichick reportedly followed up the next day, “I cannot believe that UNC would support my being called a ‘predator.’”
Robbi Pickeral Evans, UNC senior associate athletic director for external affairs and strategic communications, replied that the social media team hides or erases comments about personal life.
“UNC would NEVER support,” Evans reportedly said in her reply.
Hudson also reportedly expressed concerns about fans calling out “nepotism,” given that Belichick’s son, Steve, is the team’s defensive coordinator.
Belichick reportedly asked UNC staff to include Hudson on emails moving forward.
North Carolina was forced to refute a report last week after journalist Pablo Torre said Hudson had been barred from the facility and the field at the school.
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“While Jordon Hudson is not an employee at the University or Carolina Athletics, she is welcome to the Carolina Football facilities. Jordon will continue to manage all activities related to Coach Belichick’s personal brand outside of his responsibilities for Carolina Football and the University,” the university’s athletic program said in a statement.
USDA warns this parasite once took 30 years to eliminate — and it’s back
A threat to American livestock – the New World Screwworm (NWS) fly, which has been considered eradicated from the country since 1966 — has reemerged as a potential danger following an outbreak in Mexico.
The news triggered a shutdown of cattle, horse and bison imports along the southern border, as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins announced in an X post on Sunday.
“Due to the threat of New World Screwworm I am announcing the suspension of live cattle, horse, & bison imports through U.S. southern border ports of entry effective immediately,” she wrote in the post.
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“The last time this devastating pest invaded America, it took 30 years for our cattle industry to recover. This cannot happen again.”
What is the New World Screwworm?
The NWS is a fly that is endemic in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and some South American countries, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
While the flies themselves are found in forests and other wooded areas, they will seek hosts like cattle or horses in pastures and fields, per the above source.
A female fly lays eggs in a wound or orifice of a live, warm-blooded animal. The eggs then hatch into larvae (maggots) that burrow into the flesh, causing potentially deadly damage.
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Screwworms are named for their maggots’ behavior, as they burrow into the flesh similar to how a screw is driven into wood.
“Maggots cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks,” according to the APHIS website. This can then enlarge the wound and attract more flies to lay eggs.
In rare cases, the larvae can feed on people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states.
These infestations can be very painful and can cause serious, potentially fatal damage to their hosts by causing myiasis, a parasitic infection of fly larvae in human tissue.
Risk factors and prevention
Screwworms are often found in South America and the Caribbean.
“People who travel to these areas, spend time among livestock animals, sleep outdoors and have an open wound are at greater risk of becoming infested with NWS,” says the CDC.
“Wounds as small as a tick bite may attract a female to feed.”
People who are immunocompromised, very young or very old, or malnourished are also at a higher risk of infection, the above source stated.
Those who have had recent surgery are also at a higher risk, “as the flies will lay eggs on open sores,” according to the CDC.
Potential impact
If another outbreak were to occur in the U.S., “pets, livestock, wildlife and even humans may suffer and die from screwworm myiasis,” the USDA warned.
The USDA estimates that livestock producers in the southwestern U.S. lost between $50 million and $100 million annually due to NWS in the 1950s and 1960s until it was successfully eradicated.
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“Presumably, these higher losses in the Southwest were due to higher livestock populations, larger geographic area and/or greater potential for NWS to overwinter,” stated the report.
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While the USDA eradicated NWS in 1966, there was an outbreak contained within the Florida Keys in 2016. It affected only in the endangered deer population and was eradicated by March 2017, per APHIS.