Fox News 2025-05-15 05:10:39


President Trump went to Qatar with clear mission and he just delivered big for Americans

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a series of agreements with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Qatar.

The agreements involved a purchasing agreement by Qatar for Boeing aircraft, as well as letters of intent and “joint cooperation” between Qatar and the U.S. The emir also signed an intent agreement to purchase MQ-9 drone aircraft.

Al Thani said he had a “great” conversation with Trump prior to the signing ceremony on Wednesday, adding that the agreements have elevated the U.S.-Qatar relationship to “another level.”

The deepening U.S. relationship with Qatar has drawn fresh scrutiny this week, both due to Trump’s visit and amid reports that his administration may accept a free jet from the Qatari royal family to temporarily replace the current Air Force One.

TRUMP SAYS HE’LL DROP SANCTIONS ON SYRIA IN MOVE TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS

The prospect has drawn bipartisan pushback, which Trump has met with indifference. 

“Qatar is not, in my opinion, a great ally. I mean, they support Hamas. So what I’m worried about is the safety of the president,” Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told reporters on Tuesday.

TRUMP DEFENDS QATAR JUMBO JET OFFER AS TROUBLED BOEING FAILS TO DELIVER NEW AIR FORCE ONE FLEET

U.S. relations with Doha have come a long way since 2017, when Trump accused Qatar of harboring terrorism: “The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said at the time.

From there, Qatar became a major non-NATO ally to the U.S. in 2022 under President Joe Biden and is home to Al Udeid Air Base, one of the U.S.’s largest Middle Eastern bases and a key hub for U.S. Central Command operations. 

Qatar has been at the forefront of peace and hostage negotiations, especially in the war between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli delegation traveled to Doha on Tuesday to hash out a potential agreement on a hostage exchange and ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In March, weeks of negotiations led by U.S. and Qatari mediators led to the release of American George Glezmann, who had been imprisoned by the Taliban in Afghanistan for more than two years. Doha’s negotiators were also involved in the U.S.-Hamas deal to release the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, on Monday.

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The Trump Organization has also cinched a new deal to build a luxury golf resort in Qatar, partnering with Qatari Diar, a real estate company backed by that country’s sovereign wealth fund.

Top Democrats to join Republicans to shut down Trump impeachment push

Top House Democrats said Wednesday they will join Republicans in blocking a House-wide vote on impeaching President Donald Trump.

“I have said before from this podium, this is not the right approach we should be taking,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said at his weekly press conference. “I’ll join members of the leadership team in voting to table that motion.”

Aguilar called the push by one lawmaker within his caucus a “distraction” from Democrats’ messaging that Republicans are trying to gut Medicaid via Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” – a narrative the GOP has pushed back on.

ANTI-ABORTION PROVIDER MEASURE IN TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ COULD SPARK HOUSE GOP REBELLION

Democrats are scrambling after Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., stood on the House floor Tuesday and invoked a maneuver that effectively forces House leaders to take up a piece of legislation within two House working days.

House Republican leadership has opted for a vote on Wednesday evening to table the measure, a procedural motion that, if successful, would block a House-wide vote on impeachment.

Thanedar acknowledged his colleagues’ concerns about his move during his own press conference Wednesday morning, though he insisted it would not deter him.

“Even some Democrats call me a lunatic, just like the president has called me lunatic,” the Michigan Democrat said.

“But they have never said, nobody has said to me, ‘Mr. Thanedar, the seven articles of impeachment that you presented to the U.S. Congress, they’re a piece of s—. They’re not good. You missed it, missed the point. They are not legally right.’ They didn’t do that. No one says that.”

However, Aguilar said hours later that it was not the right time to push an impeachment effort.

“This is such an impactful moment, and our colleagues are locking themselves in a room for 24 hours to protect and defend healthcare. We shouldn’t be talking about this proposal that is not right, not timely,” Aguilar said, referring to the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s meeting on budget reconciliation, which has been ongoing since 2 p.m. Tuesday.

“This president is no stranger to impeachments, he’s been impeached twice. Impeachment is a tool that can be used, but it takes weeks, months to do. Right now the issue of the day is, will hill Republicans stand up and support healthcare in this country?”

MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE

When reached for comment on Thanedar’s push on Tuesday, White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Fox News Digital, “Every action taken by President Trump and his administration is fully lawful and firmly rooted in the will of the American people. President Trump is doing exactly what he promised: securing our border, bringing in trillions of dollars in investment to America, and restoring common-sense leadership.”

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“Meanwhile, Democrats are once again showing where their true priorities lie — siding with illegal immigrants over the safety, security, and well-being of hardworking American citizens. This desperate impeachment stunt is nothing more than a reckless political act that the American people see right through,” the White House said.

No Republican is expected to vote to proceed with impeachment.

Swalwell warns Noem he has ‘bulls— detector’ during heated exchange

Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell warned Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that he has a “bullsh— detector” during a heated exchange about a photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran citizen who the Trump administration deported.

Swalwell was grilling Noem about a photo of Abrego Garcia’s hand that shows alleged MS-13 tattoos during a Homeland Security budget hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

“I want you to have credibility and I want you to be taken seriously. Is this doctored or is it not?” Swalwell asked, referring to the photo that President Donald Trump shared on social media. Swalwell was asserting that the letters “M,” “S” and the numbers “1” and “3” above the tattoos were edited onto the photo.

Noem tried to respond, saying that the deportation of Abrego Garcia was based off an investigation, not a photo, but was interrupted by Swalwell.

TRUMP’S REMARKS COULD COME BACK TO BITE HIM IN ABREGO GARCIA DEPORTATION BATTLE

“Madam Secretary, I have a seven-year-old, a six-year-old and a three-year-old,” Swalwell said. “I have a bulls— detector. I’m just asking you, is this doctored or not?”

Noem replied that it was “unbelievable” that the lawmaker’s focus was on a photo and not on the importance of U.S. national security, before saying she had “no knowledge” of the photo in question.

KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA’S LAWYERS ASK FOR MORE TRUMP ADMIN OFFICIALS TO TESTIFY, POSSIBLY FROM WHITE HOUSE

Last month, President Donald Trump shared a photo of himself in the Oval Office holding a picture of what the White House said were tattoos on Abrego Garcia’s knuckles that are affiliated with the MS-13 terrorist group.

While Swalwell continued to use his time to push Noem about the photo, the secretary responded that the mission of DHS is to secure the country and go after “the worst of the worst, the criminals, the bad actors.”

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“Abrego Garcia is a known terrorist and member of MS-13, a wife beater and a human trafficker that should never have been in this country to begin with,” Noem said.

Dem governor wants to freeze healthcare for illegal migrants — and pins blame on Trump

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is proposing freezing undocumented adult enrollment in full-scope Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, a fact sheet the governor’s office provided to Fox News Digital indicates.

The document notes that the proposed freeze would take effect “no sooner than January 1, 2026,” and would apply “to new adult applicants over age 19.” People would not “be kicked off their health care,” according to the document.

It also notes that the Golden State governor is proposing a $100 per month premium for Medi-Cal enrollees 19 and up with “unsatisfactory immigration status,” which “refers to people whose immigration status makes them ineligible for federally funded Medicaid, including people with lawful status and the undocumented” — this would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, under the proposal.

NEWSOM UNVEILS AGGRESSIVE PLAN TO CLEAR HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS ACROSS CALIFORNIA: ‘NO MORE EXCUSES’

The proposed budgetary moves, which would need to clear state legislature, are being partially blamed on President Donald Trump.

“Trump’s pendulum swings on tariffs have slowed the economy and weakened state revenues by a staggering $16 billion,” the document declares.

NEWSOM DEBUTS RAPID-RESPONSE WEBSITE AS CRITICS ACCUSE HIM OF PRIORITIZING PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS

Newsom “refuses to turn his back on hardworking Californians, especially when it comes to their basic health care needs,” the release states. “But because of the $16 billion Trump Slump and higher-than-expected health care utilization, the state must take difficult but necessary steps to ensure fiscal stability and preserve the long-term viability of Medi-Cal for all Californians.”

GAVIN NEWSOM REMOVES AD AFTER BEING KNOCKED FOR USING UKRAINE FOOTAGE WHILE BRAGGING ABOUT CALIFORNIA

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Newsom, who has served as governor since early 2019, survived a gubernatorial recall election in 2021.

House GOP calling for action against Dems accused of ‘storming’ ICE facility

House Republicans are warning that consequences are in store for three Democratic colleagues the Trump administration accused of “storming” a detention facility in defense of illegal immigrants last week.

“Look, there’s three possible disciplinary actions in Congress that the House can take,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters at his weekly press conference Wednesday.

He noted the House could censure, a symbolic rebuke with no further repercussions that requires a simple majority vote – a move Johnson said “probably does seem appropriate here.”

BROWN UNIVERSITY IN GOP CROSSHAIRS AFTER STUDENT’S DOGE-LIKE EMAIL KICKS OFF FRENZY

Johnson noted the Republican majority could also boot them off their committees, or even expel those lawmakers – though he noted that required a significantly higher threshold.

“Now, expulsion requires a two-thirds vote. That’s not likely with margins that are this small. But, you know, we’re looking at what is appropriate,” he said.

Meanwhile, other House Republicans who spoke with Fox News Digital called for a range of punishments, from censure to arrests.

“I really think there should be criminal charges filed against them,” Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., told Fox News Digital, arguing there was no realistically sufficient punishment the House could levy.

“A censure doesn’t do anything but raise them money, and no one here has the balls to expel anybody. Only Democrats’ balls are that big.”

ANTI-ABORTION PROVIDER MEASURE IN TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ COULD SPARK HOUSE GOP REBELLION

Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., however, said they should be “censured, at the least.”

“The Justice Department should be looking at it. If there was any sort of battery or physical assault, that’s just unacceptable,” Stutzman said.

Both Republicans and Democrats have traded accusations of assault since last Friday, when three Democratic members of Congress joined Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and other protesters to rush into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, the Delaney Hall detention center, in northern New Jersey.

Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver and Rob Menendez argued they had every right to be there as federal officials on federal grounds and accused ICE agents of “manhandling” lawmakers who joined protesters that day.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused the Democrats of “storming” the facility after a bus carrying detainees went through its gates and said their actions put both law enforcement and detainees’ safety at risk.

But Democrats are circling the wagons around the trio.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent a clear warning to Republicans on Tuesday.

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“That’s a red line,” Jeffries said when asked about possible arrests or sanctions of the lawmakers. “It’s been made loudly and abundantly clear to the Trump administration, we’re not going to be intimidated by their tactics.”

Rep. John McGuire, R-Va., said he was in favor of punishing those Democrats.

“We should be better than that,” he said, without elaborating on what retribution was reasonable.

Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., introduced a resolution on Tuesday to strip the trio of their committees, which the three Democrats criticized.

Fox News Digital reached out to the House Democrats for comment on the latest discussions.

Cassie explains she testified against Diddy because she couldn’t carry the ‘shame’

Pinned

Cassie testified against Diddy because she couldn’t carry the ‘shame’

Cassie Ventura explained on the witness stand Wednesday that she testified against her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs
, because she could no longer carry the guilt.

 “I can’t carry this anymore,” she told the court. “I can’t carry the shame, the guilt … what’s right is right. What’s wrong is wrong …”

The jury was dismissed at 4:25 p.m. after the prosecution rested on Cassie’s testimony.

Throughout the day, jurors heard Cassie
describe allegedly being raped by Diddy after their breakup. She claimed to enter rehab and pursued trauma therapy toward the beginning of 2023 after suffering “horrible flashbacks” on set of a music video.

Cassie claimed Diddy allegedly threatened her and Kid Cudi when he found out about their relationship through correspondences on her phone.

The singer, who is now 38, had already broken up with Kid Cudi in 2011, and was visiting Diddy in Arizona when he allegedly told her that he was going to blow up Cudi’s car when he was out of the country.

She also described a night, in 2007 or 2008, where Diddy allegedly beat her in the back of an Escalade after she struck him.

The two were fighting over the rapper flirting with someone else, Cassie testified. After Diddy saw her face was swollen and bleeding, he reportedly sent Cassie to a hotel.

Cassie wanted to go home, but the rapper said no. Cassie claimed she felt unsafe. She said she now knew Combs’ capabilities and about his access to guns. Cassie claimed Diddy forced her to cover her face when entering the hotel.

Cassie testified that Diddy would “would put his hands on [her]” during alleged “freak offs.” He would “push me down … kick me … you name it,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.

She claimed some of Diddy’s staff quit over his violent behavior.


Fox News’ Maria Paronich and Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

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Cassie checked into rehab and trauma therapy after Diddy breakup

Cassie Ventura claimed she “didn’t want to be alive anymore, and testified Wednesday in Sean “Diddy” Combs trial that she entered rehab and pursued trauma therapy toward the beginning of 2023.

While shooting a music video with another artist, Cassie claimed to suffer “horrible flashbacks” and went home to her husband, Alex Fine. Cassie is currently pregnant with their third child.

She told her husband, “You can do this without me. You don’t need me anymore.”

Cassie broke down in tears while admitting on the stand that she couldn’t take the pain anymore, some of which included her own personal shame.

Fox News’ Brendan McDonald contributed to this report.

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Cassie testifies Diddy raped her during 2018 meetup

Cassie Ventura accused ex Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her after one of their last dinners together.

According to Cassie, after the two had dinner together in Malibu Diddy went to her home. Diddy brought her inside after the dinner and was being funny and polite, she testified.

After going into the home together, Cassie claimed Diddy raped her on the living room floor, then left.

At the time, she had been dating Alex Fine – her now-husband.

Cassie admitted to seeing Combs again after the alleged rape, telling the jury they had been together for 10 years and had a connection. Diddy and Cassie had dated on-and-off from 2007 until 2018.

That same year she began a relationship with Fine, whom she married in 2019.

Fox News’ Brendan McDonald contributed to this report.

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Jurors react to Cassie testimony in Diddy sex crimes trial

Cassie Ventura took the witness stand for the second day in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial for sex crimes.

The 12-person jury, which included six alternates, heard testimony and saw evidence in the case against Diddy, 55.

When Cassie, 38, testified about the party at Prince’s house, one juror was looking in Diddy’s direction. As Cassie described the “bad fight” with Diddy, the juror was focused on the disgraced music mogul.

A juror shook her head in agreement after Cassie explained in detail how she didn’t want to tell her mother about Diddy’s alleged abuse.

Another female juror grimaced when the government introduced evidence showing Cassie’s bruises. One juror strained his neck to get a better look.

One juror was seen taking copious amounts of notes throughout the testimony.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Diddy’s security guard cried after seeing Cassie following an alleged beating: testimony

Cassie Ventura testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs’ security cried after seeing her following one of the rapper’s alleged beatings.

During her testimony, Cassie was shown a photo of herself at Diddy’s home in Sept. 2015.

Cassie claimed she was staying at the disgraced music mogul’s home to recover from a trip to Las Vegas. On the trip, Cassie had sustained a black eye.

The now 38-year-old claimed she was having a conversation with a manager, when Combs tapped her on the shoulder and brought her to an adjoining room. Combs allegedly beat her inside the room and security and management came in to break it up, according to Cassie.

She said one of the security guards who came to break up the fight cried when he saw her.

The jury was shown a copy of a text from the security guard to Cassie on Sept. 14, 2015 that read it was “time to ice” her face. Cassie said this was in reference to injuries sustained in the fight with Combs.

Fox News’ Brendan McDonald contributed to this report.

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Cassie recalls Diddy saying Kid Cudi’s vehicle would be blown up

Cassie claimed Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly threatened her and Kid Cudi.

Diddy allegedly told Cassie that he was going to “hurt both of us,” she testified on the stand Wednesday.

Cassie had already broken up with Kid Cudi in 2011, and was visiting Diddy in Arizona when he allegedly told her that he was going to blow up Cudi’s car when he was out of the country.

The trio – Cassie, Diddy and Kid Cudi – at one point allegedly met to discuss the relationship and agree that they were no longer together.

In a September memo sent to judge Robyn Tarnofsky, prosecutors alleged Diddy’s co-conspirator set fire to “individual-1’s vehicle by slicing open the car’s convertible top and dropping a Molotov cocktail inside the interior.”

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie requests break after Kid Cudi testimony

Cassie Ventura requested to take a break after testifying about the alleged abuse she experienced when Sean “Diddy” Combs found her correspondence to rapper Kid Cudi.

Cassie had left Diddy’s hotel during a “freak off” after he found messages between Cudi and the singer regarding what toiletries to leave at his house.

She later met with Diddy about the ordeal, where she claimed he became violent with her. Combs allegedly kicked Cassie in the back when she went to leave. She also had bruises on other parts of her body.

During her testimony, Cassie was shown images taken at her mother’s house depicting bruises, including a bruise on her back allegedly from Combs’ kick. The singer-songwriter claimed she was terrified, and was not totally honest with her mother.

She stopped her testimony to request a break.

Fox News’ Brendan McDonald contributed to this report.

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Diddy upset after finding Cassie’s correspondences with rapper Kid Cudi

Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly went through Cassie Ventura’s phone at a “freak off” and found an email correspondence between Cassie and rapper Kid Cudi.

Cassie, 38, and Cudi, who’s full name is Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, dated in 2011 when she was on a break in her relationship with Diddy.

In the messages, Cassie allegedly relayed to Kid Cudi what toiletries she could leave at his house.

Diddy became “upset” upon reading the messages, which she had kept as a secret. Cassie testified she had a “burner phone” to keep Cudi a secret from Combs.

Once she was back at a hotel, Cassie allegedly called Kid Cudi to pick her up and they went to his house in Los Angeles.

The rapper was one of many notable names brought up during last week’s voir dire process for jurors.

Comedian Mike Myers, Diddy’s children – Justin and Christian Combs – Aubrey O’Day, actress Lauren London, actor Michael B. Jordan, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, singer Michelle Williams, Dawn Richards and Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura were among the names recognized by some of the potential jurors during the voir dire.

Fox News Digital contacted Kid Cudi’s representatives for comment.


Fox News’ Brendan McDonald contributed to this report.

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Cassie lied to her mother about Diddy’s alleged abuse to keep her safe

Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura opted not to tell her mother about the rapper’s alleged violent behavior.

Cassie described a night, in 2007 or 2008, where Diddy allegedly beat her
in the back of an Escalade after she struck him. The two were fighting over the rapper flirting with someone else, Cassie testified.

After Diddy saw her face was swollen and bleeding, he reportedly sent Cassie to a hotel. Cassie wanted to go home, but the rapper said no. Cassie claimed she felt unsafe. She said she now knew Combs’ capabilities and about his access to guns. Cassie claimed Diddy forced her to cover her face when entering the hotel.

The singer-songwriter explained that when her mother found out about the situation, she lied.

Cassie testified she was not truthful with her mother about the severity of the event in order to protect her and keep her away.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie recalls first instance of Diddy’s alleged physical abuse

Cassie Ventura claimed Wednesday that Sean “Diddy” Combs began physically abusing her one year after they met.

While on the stand, Cassie, 38, remembered having dinner with friends in New York on the night Diddy allegedly assaulted her for the first time.

Cassie witnessed her ex-boyfriend flirting with another woman in 2007 or 2008, and attempted to “shrug it off.”

Once they were in the Escalade SUV, she claimed Diddy “knocked me around.”

In addition to being shocked by the incident, Cassie, who is pregnant with her third child with husband Alex Fine, said she was shaken and scared.

Diddy allegedly called Cassie a “slut” before she struck him in the face. She described the blow being “as hard as you can hit someone when you’re drunk.”

Following her first hit, Diddy allegedly moved to the privacy of the rear of the vehicle and beat her. She described covering her face to protect herself from kicks.


Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie claims some of Diddy’s staff quit over his alleged violent behavior towards her

Cassie Ventura testified that some of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ staff had quit over his alleged abusive behavior towards her.

After the jury was shown screenshots from the alleged “freak offs,” Cassie claimed that it had become common for Diddy to become “physical” with her. She defined “physical” as punishment, beatings, kicking, etc.

Cassie claimed Combs’ security was present and aware of the rapper getting physical with her at times. Additionally, Cassie testified that Diddy’s driver in New York City knew about the abuse.

Some of Diddy’s assistants knew about the physicality as well, according to Cassie.

She told the jury she is aware people quit due to witnessing physical abuse.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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SEE IT: Pregnant Cassie testifies in Diddy sex crimes trial

Cassie Ventura took the stand Wednesday for the second day of testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial.

Cassie, who is heavily pregnant with her third child with husband Alex Fine, was pictured in a sketch wearing a long-sleeved black dress while testifying.

Diddy, 55, wore a khaki sweater and showed gray in his hair.

Jurors were shown footage once again from the infamous 2016 Intercontinental Hotel incident where Diddy and Cassie were involved in a hallway altercation.

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FLASHBACK: Cassie testified Diddy’s ‘freak offs’ could last for days

The prosecution called Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, to the witness stand on Tuesday, the second day of testimony in the rapper’s federal trial for sex crimes.

During her testimony, Ventura described what Combs’ infamous “freak off” session were like. According to the indictment, “freak offs” were “elaborate produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded.”

“The ‘freak offs’ became a job,” Cassie said on the stand. “There was no space for anything else but to recover.”

She went on to explain that the “freak offs” would last anywhere from 24 to 72 hours, with the longest “freak off” lasting four days. “Every ‘freak off’ was directed by Sean,” Ventura testified.

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 and Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

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Diddy would injure Cassie during alleged ‘freak offs’: testimony

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex Cassie Ventura would get injured during the alleged “freak offs.”

Cassie testified that Diddy would “would put his hands on [her].”  He would “push me down…kick me…you name it,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.

Sometimes an escort would be present in the suite, sometimes in a different room in the suite during the alleged violence, she testified. According to Cassie, the escorts could hear and would ask if she was okay.

Cassie testified that the violence during the “freak offs”
started within the first year.  Combs was violent in Los Angeles, New York City and Miami. He allegedly put his hands on her “too frequently.”

The musician explained she did try to leave “freak offs,” but a lot of times she would end up back in the room because “Sean would find me.”  When he found her, she would go back to the room.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Lawyers for Diddy’s alleged victims share concerns over the women’s ’emotional state’

A lawyer for Sean “Diddy” Combs’
alleged victim, set to testify under the pseudonym Mia, spoke to the judge Wednesday about concerns before the lunch break began. 

He brought up Mia having to tell her worst secrets and not being able to speak to him. The lawyer wanted the judge to understand how complicated this is.

Judge Arun Subramanian noted they are trying to be careful with what is said in the courtroom. 

Mia’s lawyer worried she may have a moment of “losing it completely.” He is concerned about her emotional state, and wants to be able to answer if she asks “how am I doing?”

The federal judge said he will take it into account. Counsel for Jane Doe, who has yet to testify, expressed similar concerns.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie likened Diddy to Ike Turner due to his abusive nature

Cassie Ventura wanted the “freak offs” with Sean “Diddy” Combs to come to an end, she testified in court Wednesday.

Cassie claimed the “Victory” singer treated her like Ike Turner because he was abusive.

Tina Turner was 17 years old when she met Ike, a prolific music producer.

The late “Proud Mary” singer first spoke about the abuse she suffered behind closed doors in an article published by People magazine in 1981. Turner described the abuse as “torture” and claimed she was “living a life of death.”

In evidence submitted from January 2017, Cassie sent a text message asking Diddy to stop with the “freak offs” because “nothing good comes from [them] anymore.”

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie testifies she wanted to have a baby with Diddy

The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial was shown texts of Cassie Ventura admitting she wanted to have a baby with the rapper.

“You are truly the most extraordinary man…can’t wait til we have a baby of our own…,” she wrote to Diddy in a text. Cassie testified that she sent this message because she loved Diddy.

Cassie and Diddy first met in 2005 when the rapper signed her to his label, Bad Boy Records. By 2007, the two had begun a romantic relationship.

Diddy introduced Cassie to “freak offs” within the first six months to a year of their relationship, she testified.

The couple dated on-and-off for 10 years before calling it quits in 2018. Throughout their relationship, both Diddy and Cassie would see other people. She admitted on the stand Tuesday that she would become “insanely jealous” of Diddy seeing multiple women.

“I didn’t get that he was him, Puff Daddy, and Puff Daddy has many women,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie had ‘significant’ facial injury after violent Diddy incident

Cassie Ventura testified Wednesday that she suffered a “significant” injury at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The 38-year-old singer told jurors in a Manhattan federal court that she was packing for a music festival with two friends when Diddy showed up.

Cassie said she was thrown down onto the bedframe by the “Last Night” rapper. The outburst allegedly caused a “pretty significant gash” above her eye.

She said that her two friends, Mia and Dionte, jumped on Diddy’s back during the incident.

Diddy then allegedly requested a security guard to escort Cassie to a doctor’s office.

Evidence introduced to the court showed an alleged text message exchange between Cassie and Diddy.

Along with a photo of her injury, Cassie told Diddy, “So you can remember,” because she didn’t want him to “forget what he did … because it’s awful.”

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Diddy made Cassie attend sex clubs, introduced her to swingers lifestyle

Cassie Ventura testified Sean “Diddy” Combs asked her to have sex with other people at sex clubs.

Cassie claimed she visited a few sex clubs with Diddy and that the visits were allegedly the rapper’s idea. Cassie testified she was “terrified” because “it wasn’t an experience I was into.”

According to Cassie, the swingers lifestyle was a turn on for Combs. When swinging, couples swap sexual partners.

On occasion, she testified a male escort would accompany them to the sex clubs.

Cassie described the experience of having sex with the male escort at the club as “ just confusing” and “uncomfortable.”

Cassie claimed she told Diddy that it made her uncomfortable to go to sex clubs. She explained when she told Combs she didn’t want to go, Combs would “try to turn the energy around” meaning be “playful and fun” but he would “push.”

According to Cassie, she drank a lot at the sex clubs “because I didn’t know how to be there sober.”

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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FLASHBACK: Cassie testified Tuesday that Diddy made her call him by a ‘weird’ nickname

Cassie Ventura, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend testified on Tuesday that the rapper had her call him by her grandfather’s nickname.

The singer acknowledged that she thought the nickname “was weird.”

The jury was shown an email between the former couple, which was sent 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.

Throughout her time on the stand, Cassie also spoke about the alleged “freak offs” Combs would orchestrate, claiming they would last between 24 and 72 hours, with the longest one lasting four days.

“Every ‘freak off’ was directed by Sean,” Cassie testified, which included her positioning, the lighting, etc.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich and Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

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Cassie suffered medical issues stemming from Diddy’s ‘freak offs’

Cassie Ventura testified she suffered from medical issues from the alleged “freak offs” with Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Cassie told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson that she had a lot of stomach issues from taking the drugs and would get frequent UTIs.

The musician explained she would often have to participate in a “freak off” with an infection.

Cassie testified the UTIs were “very painful.” She would try to drink a lot of water.

“I was just a mess,” she said on the stand. Cassie claimed Combs was aware she suffered from UTIs. The “Me & U” singer described having sex with a UTI as “horrible.”

The jury was shown messages between Cassie and Diddy, where she tried to tell the rapper she felt sick and tired.

In another message, Cassie mentioned she was trying to work on her vocals but had “sores on [her] tongue” which were from “freak offs,” drugs and the friction in her mouth from oral sex.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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FLASHBACK: Cassie testified about ‘dissociative’ drug use during ‘freak offs’

Cassie Ventura testified against Sean “Diddy” Combs on Tuesday in his sex-trafficking trial. During her testimony, she recalled harrowing experiences from her decade-long relationship with the rapper.

While on the stand, Cassie testified she used drugs, including ecstasy, ketamine and cocaine in order to disassociate during the “freak offs.”

“For me, it was dissociative … I couldn’t imagine doing that without some sort of buffer,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson. “I needed to remain high to stay present with the experience.”

Cassie admitted that ecstasy made her feel euphoric and aroused, while ketamine would make her dissociative. She said cocaine made her heart race, mushrooms made her see things, and 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 allegedly aware that she was sick while engaged in a “freak off.”

Fox News’ Maria Paronich and Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

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Cassie claims Diddy blackmailed her with ‘freak off’ videos, ‘would be mean enough’ to release

Cassie Ventura explained what blackmail materials Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly had of her while on the stand Wednesday.

Cassie testified these were sex videos, “freak off” videos and other videos, like her drunk, that made her look “not great.” Combs would allegedly mention the videos when he was upset about something, saying he would put out embarrassing videos to hurt her.

Cassie claimed she was afraid the videos would be released. She worried that “he would be mean enough to put them out…”

The musician also “feared for my career, and my family…horrible, disgusting…no one should do that to someone…”

According to Cassie, the videos made her look like a s—. She felt ashamed, and she didn’t want to be in the videos.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Jury will watch videos of Diddy’s ‘freak offs’

The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial will watch videos of the rapper’s alleged “freak offs.”

Court tech staff are installing privacy screens for the jury and parties to watch the videos. Parties have asked to keep these items out of the press and the public view over privacy concerns.

The press had petitioned to be able to view them, citing the 1st Amendment.

So far, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled to have them remain sealed.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie testifies kissing during ‘freak offs’ made her ‘squeamish’

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex Cassie Ventura admitted kissing during the alleged “freak offs” made her “squeamish” during her testimony Wednesday.

Cassie testified she was “really against kissing” during the “freak offs.” She felt it was too intimate, but Combs wanted it.

The now 38-year-old has been testifying for the past two days about her experience with Diddy’s “freak offs.” Cassie claimed she was forced to perform sex acts with male escorts while the rapper watched throughout the duration of their 10-year on-and-off relationship.

The “freak offs” were often recorded, according to Cassie.

“It was humiliating … just too much,” but it was “a position I just couldn’t easily get out of,” Cassie said of the “freak offs” on Tuesday.

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Cassie testifies she had visible bruises at premiere after Diddy hotel attack

Cassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs attended her movie premiere together, days after the rapper allegedly beat her at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Cassie testified Wednesday that she had makeup to cover the bruising on her face. For the premiere on March 7, 2016, Cassie wore a plunging dress with her bare arms showing. The prosecution zoomed in to show an alleged bruise on her arm.

The jury was then shown a photo of Cassie and Combs at the after party of the premiere.

The singer-turned-actress was wearing a new dress. Cassie claimed she changed in a popcorn closet.

Cassie pointed out a bruise on her right shin.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie didn’t reveal Diddy’s name when speaking with police after hotel attack

Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura claimed she didn’t tell police the rapper’s name to protect him.

Cassie explain that upon arrival home after the physical altercation at the Intercontinental Hotel, her friend saw the singer upset and called police.

When the police arrived at her apartment, Cassie answered a few questions.

However, the singer-songwriter claimed she did not tell police who she was talking about.

“In that moment, I didn’t want to hurt him in that way…too much going on…”  she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.

Cassie confirmed on the stand she wanted to protect Combs.

Later that night, Cassie claimed Diddy showed up at her apartment and tried to get in it. Cassie was notified by her assistant. The “Last Night” singer made a lot of noise, yelling and banging on her door. She chose not to let him in.

Cassie testified that Combs would show up to her home “unannounced quite a bit.”  He was often angry.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Diddy begged Cassie to call him after hotel attack left her with black eye: testimony

Cassie Ventura claimed Sean “Diddy” Combs begged her to call him after she left the Intercontinental Hotel.

The jury was shown a handful of text messages sent from Diddy to Cassie that read, “Call me now.”  “Call me the cops are here. You’re going to abandon me all alone. Call me pls.”

Cassie said she did not care one way or the other, and is not aware if police actually showed up to the hotel. She told Diddy that she has a movie premiere, black eye and fat lip.

“You are sick to do what you have done,” she told Diddy. “Please stay far away from me.”

Diddy sent even more messages to Cassie afterwards claiming he was going to be arrested.

“If you don’t pick up, you will never hear my voice again…call pls…I’m getting arrested,” he wrote.

Cassie testified that she doesn’t know if Combs was arrested.  She replied that she was going to bed.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie testifies Diddy threw a vase at her during hotel attack

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura testified that the rapper threw a vase of flowers at her during the 2016 hotel attack.

“I remember it coming towards me,” she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson.

Cassie also recalled Diddy yelling at her during the heated moment. She claimed she couldn’t remember his exact words, but noted he was likely calling her out by name. Afterwards, Cassie was seen leaving the hotel. She called an uber and traveled to her apartment.

The attack at the Intercontinental Hotel came as Cassie was trying to leave an alleged “freak off,” she testified Tuesday.

The “freak off” allegedly occurred days before Cassie’s first movie premiere, and she had hesitated to set it up because she didn’t want to ruin her body before the big night.

Cassie felt as though she had to follow through with Diddy’s request or else he would have made the premiere “miserable for me.” She testified that if she complied with his wishes, her movie premiere would go smoothly.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich and Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

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Cassie learned not to fight back during Diddy’s alleged abuse, would make it more violent

Cassie Ventura testified that she learned not to fight back when Sean “Diddy” Combs would allegedly abuse her.

Cassie began her testimony Wednesday explaining why she didn’t fight back when Combs attacked her at the Intercontinental Hotel on March 5, 2016. The singer-songwriter admitted early on in the relationship she would fight back, but that it would only make the alleged violence worse.

The musician claimed Diddy would become shocked and angry or frustrated when she would fight back.

Cassie’s testimony picked up where she left off Tuesday. She had told the jury that she did not hit Combs back during the altercation at the Intercontinental Hotel.

The jury was shown surveillance footage of the attack plus photos of the damage Diddy left behind.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Diddy’s trial resumes with testimony from Cassie Ventura

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial resumed Wednesday with continued testimony from Cassie Ventura.

Cassie is wearing a dark dress and a trench coat-like jacket today. She appeared calm as they waited for the jury. The singer-songwriter took her jacket off before the jury entered.

The 38-year-old musician, who dated Combs
from 2007 until 2018, spent much of Tuesday on the stand testifying about the alleged “freak offs” and the abuse she experienced at the hands of her ex-boyfriend.

At times she became emotional during her nearly six-hour long testimony. Cassie told prosecutors 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.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Cassie’s husband will be removed from court for some of wife’s testimony

Cassie Ventura’s husband, Alex Fine, will be removed for parts of the singer’s testimony on Wednesday.

Cassie is expected to testify about Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly raping her.

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 during a side-bar moment on Tuesday.

The prosecution said they don’t see how Cassie’s husband can be called to testify about an alleged rape between Cassie and Combs.

However, Judge Arun Subramanian will have Fine leave during certain parts of testimony Wednesday.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Family of Diddy shows up to court for moral support during sex-trafficking trial


Sean “Diddy” Combs’ family
arrived at court Wednesday to continue supporting the disgraced music mogul during his sex-trafficking trial.

Janice Combs, Diddy’s mother, along with his kids, King, Quincy, Christian, and Justin attended Wednesday as Cassie Ventura’s testimony is set to resume.

Members of the rapper’s family have been at each day of testimony so far.

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.”

Diddy’s former partners have also attended court, including Misa Hylton. The fashion designer, who is the mother of Diddy’s son Justin, left the courthouse abruptly during a break in Cassie’s testimony Tuesday.

Fox News’ Brendan McDonald contributed to this report.

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Diddy arrives in court for 3rd day of testimony

Sean “Diddy” Combs arrived in court for the third day of testimony in his sex-trafficking trial.

Diddy, wearing a light-colored sweater, sat with his attorneys in the courtroom while the prosecution, defense and judge discussed trial logistics.

Testimony is set to resume Wednesday with Diddy’s ex, Cassie Ventura. The 38-year-old musician will continue telling the jury about the “freak offs” and violence she allegedly endured at the hands of Diddy on March 5, 2016.

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.

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Photos of damage Diddy caused during hotel attack on Cassie released

Photos of the damage Sean “Diddy” Combs left in the elevator lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel were released Wednesday.

The photos showed the damage done after Diddy attacked ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The assault was caught on video surveillance and was shown to the jury in the rapper’s sex-trafficking trial.

The photos show a broken vase, the shattered pieces scattered across the floor. Dirt from the plant that had been potted in the vase can be seen on the wall of the elevator lobby.

Cassie testified Tuesday that she had been trying to leave a “freak off” when the attack occurred.

The jury also heard from former hotel security guard Israel Florez on Monday. Florez testified he responded to the hotel room following the assault. He claimed Cassie only wanted to leave and did not want to call the police.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

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Full video of Diddy beating Cassie in hotel released after being shown to jury

The full footage from the Intercontinental hotel that showed Sean “Diddy” Combs attacking Cassie Ventura was released after being shown to the jury.

Diddy’s ex testified Tuesday that she had been trying to escape a “freak off” on March 5, 2016 when the surveillance video, seen first by the public in part in May 2024, was taken.

In the middle of the alleged “freak off” 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.

Cassie claimed Diddy dragged her by the back of her neck, and threw her down. After being thrown to the ground, 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 and Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

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Cassie Ventura’s husband attends court to support the singer

Cassie Ventura’s husband returned to the courthouse for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial on Wednesday.

Alex Fine was seen entering the courthouse around 8:42am ET. 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.

During a side-bar moment Tuesday and out of the presence of the jury, Diddy’s defense made a point of Cassie’s husband being present in the courtroom.

Before Cassie took the stand that day, 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.

Fox News’ Brendan McDonald contributed to this report.

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Diddy’s claims of ‘diminished’ mental capacity may take center stage at sex trafficking trial

Days before Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial was set to begin, prosecutors asked for expert testimony regarding the rapper’s possible diminished mental capacity to be kept from the jury.

However, Judge Arun Subramanian chose to allow Dr. Elie Aoun to testify
. The federal judge noted the doctor will not be allowed to share testimony about the effects of drugs or drug combinations on Combs, as he did not examine the rapper.

He also will not be allowed to testify on what drugs Diddy may have used, or give any opinion about what Combs may have been prescribed beyond categories spoken about.

While specific details of Dr. Aoun’s testimony were redacted from the filing, it seemed expert opinion was to be given to support whether Diddy had been “lucid” during the alleged sex-trafficking scheme.

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Diddy could drop big names in sex trafficking trial: R. Kelly attorney

The Sean “Diddy” Combs
 sex trafficking investigation has a number of striking similarities to the case against R. Kelly, the fallen R&B singer’s attorney said previously, but with one major caveat – Combs could end up sharing big names in a desperate attempt to regain his freedom.

In a wide-ranging interview in October, Kelly’s attorney, Nicole Blank Becker, told Fox News Digital how Combs faces an almost impossible task to beat the charges against him, given the feds are using laws typically reserved for mobsters to go after Combs. The same laws were used to convict R. Kelly, she said.

Blank Becker, a Michigan-based former sex crimes prosecutor, also said R. Kelly’s defense only got to see the prosecution’s evidence on the day of the trial, with Combs likely to face the same scenario.

She said some allegations made against R. Kelly were false, but those in his inner circle who could have testified in his defense bailed on him for fear of being caught up in a federal web and prosecuted themselves. She labeled the desertion of Kelly as “a dehumanizing feeling.”

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan.

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Why was Diddy taken to the hospital in January?

Sean “Diddy” Combs was taken to the hospital from jail on Jan. 30.

The rapper was transported for an MRI from Metropolitan Detention Center to Brooklyn Hospital, a source told Page Six. At the time, Diddy’s “knee was bothering him” prompting the noninvasive medical imaging test.

The source claimed Diddy was taken to the hospital around 10 p.m. to avoid speculation from fellow inmates or jail staffers. He was taken back to his cell after the conclusion of the MRI, according to the report.

Diddy has experienced issues with his knee since running the New York City Marathon in 2003.

Combs has remained behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest in September. His first Christmas behind bars featured a basketball tournament, games and a holiday meal, a spokesperson for MDC Brooklyn confirmed to Fox News Digital.

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Lawyer breaks down Diddy’s ‘only real chance’ in sex crimes trial after feds obtain jailhouse notes

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers previously accused federal investigators of wrongfully confiscating privileged materials from his Brooklyn jail cell back in November after photos were taken of the rapper’s notes notes.

Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani explained anything taken from Combs
by federal investigators that they turned over to prosecutors was likely vetted by a third-party team and found not to include any privileged material.

“Diddy’s only real chance at an acquittal is pay off, threaten, or blackmail the victims to change their stories,” Rahmani previously told Fox News Digital. “And prosecutors want to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Diddy’s defense team asserted that some of the material is protected by attorney-client privilege.

Rahmani downplayed the claims from Combs’ high-powered legal team, which experts say faces an uphill battle given the gravity of the case and the resources of the Justice Department.

“Inmates don’t have a Fourth Amendment expectation of privacy in prison, so that argument is weak,” he told Fox News Digital. “Guards can search his cell without probable cause or a warrant.”

Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.


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Jake Tapper changes tune on his coverage of Biden’s cognitive decline

CNN anchor Jake Tapper is now admitting he didn’t provide enough coverage of former President Joe Biden‘s cognitive decline as his reporting during the previous administration draws scrutiny from critics. 

Tapper appeared on his network Wednesday morning while promoting his new book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” set to be released next week. He was asked what he made of his conservative critics who’ve been speaking out against him and the rest of the media over their lack of coverage exposing Biden’s mental acuity while he was in office. 

“I think some of the criticism is fair, to be honest, of me,” Tapper responded. “Certainly I’m not going to speak for anybody else, but knowing then what I know now, I look back at my coverage during the Biden years and I did cover some of these issues, but not enough. I look back on it with humility.”

JAKE TAPPER’S PAST COVERAGE OF BIDEN’S COGNITIVE DECLINE UNDER SCRUTINY AHEAD OF HIS NEW BOOK

Tapper went on to say that he and his co-author Alex Thompson learned through their reporting after the election that there were “two Bidens” around 2019-2020, one that was “perfectly workable” and the other one being “non-functioning.” The latter, Tapper said, “reared his head increasingly” throughout his presidency. 

“And look, while it was very important – and I’m not dismissing the coverage of Biden tripping on stage or falling off his bike, that was obviously indicative of something serious that was going on – I think what we learned about the non-functioning Biden rearing his head increasingly, not being able to come up with the name of George Clooney, not being able to come up with the name of top aides in the White House,” Tapper told his CNN colleague John Berman. 

“I think that really reveals something even more significant, something even more disturbing, about a president that was not what we, the American people, should expect and be able to demand, which is somebody who is there with it 24/7, there for the 2 A.M. emergency phone call in the middle of the night,” Tapper added.

SHIELDING BIDEN: JOURNALISTS SHED LIGHT ON THE MEDIA’S COVER-UP OF A WEAKENED PRESIDENT

Fox News Digital published a report Wednesday that outlined the coverage he dedicated to Biden leading up to his disastrous debate performance that forced him out of the 2024 presidential race. 

His most aggressive coverage took place in February 2024 in the wake of Biden’s press conference responding in outrage to the Hur report. Special Counsel Robert Hur declined to bring charges against Biden in the classified documents case because he determined a jury would not convict someone perceived as an “elderly man with a poor memory,” based on his interview with investigators. 

In interviews with Biden during the 2020 campaign and during his presidency, Tapper broached the subject of his age. However, he pumped the brakes on covering Biden’s cognitive decline in the heat of the 2024 election cycle, avoiding coverage of the viral moments showing Biden freezing or wandering off, which at the time the Biden White House dubbed “cheap fakes.” 

Tapper similarly ignored Biden’s “Where’s Jackie?” gaffe from September 2022 when he called out for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., at an event honoring her memory after she died in a tragic car accident weeks prior. 

EX-CNN JOURNALIST SPEAKS OUT ON BIDEN COVER-UP, SAYS WHITE HOUSE AIDES MADE IT DIFFICULT ON PRESS

Tapper also repeatedly defended Biden from his critics. In September 2023, Tapper asserted that Biden was mentally “sharp” while discussing Nikki Haley demanding cognitive tests for older politicians, suggesting that questions swirling around the president were only about whether he was “physically” able to do the job. 

And in March 2024, following Biden’s high-energy State of the Union address filled with shouting and attacking Republicans, Tapper took a swipe at the president’s conservative critics who previously accused him of being “weak” and “senile.”

“He certainly seemed like an 81-year-old, but he didn’t seem incapable of doing the job,” Tapper told his panel before dismissing “Weekend at Bernie’s” comparisons from the right. 

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A spokesperson for CNN strongly pushed back at the notion that Tapper offered insufficient coverage of the Biden scandal before the debate.

“Jake Tapper is a veteran journalist whose tenacious and thorough reporting has held those in power to account on both sides of the aisle for decades,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “He fairly and accurately covered Senator, Vice President and President Biden through years of dogged Washington reporting, hitting every high and low of the former president’s political career.”

The CNN spokesperson continued, “From the campaign in 2020 to 2024 when he dropped out, Jake raised concerns about President Biden’s mental stamina on his shows, questioned Biden officials directly about his health on air, and consistently encouraged open discussion and debate on the issue.” 

Major US airline unveils new luxury seats with upgraded menu and more

United Airlines announced on Tuesday that its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft will offer a larger upgraded selection of premium business class seats and two new business class suites called the United Polaris Studio.

Specifically designed for long-haul international flights, the suites will be positioned at the front of each business class section and will be 25% larger than the current premium business class seating. They will feature 27-inch 4K OLED seatback screens, Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, Starlink connectivity and luxury skincare amenities and exclusive entrée options. 

MAJOR AIRLINE MAKES BIG CHANGE TO EASE TRAVEL WOES AMID CHAOS AT NEWARK AIRPORT

There will be a total of eight, lie-flat, all-aisle-access seats, which will also be equipped with privacy doors and an extra ottoman for guests.

All of United’s future Boeing 787 deliveries will receive United Polaris Studio suites. The first delivery is expected before the end of 2025. 

The first international passenger flights are planned for 2026 from San Francisco to Singapore and San Francisco to London, according to United. About 30 of these planes will join its fleet by 2027.

UNITED AIRLINES RECEIVES FAA APPROVAL FOR FIRST STARLINK-EQUIPPED PLANE, SCHEDULES FIRST FLIGHT FOR MAY

United said its standard business class seats will also get upgraded to suites with sliding doors and larger, 19-inch 4K OLED screens. There will be a total of 99 premium seats, which the airline claimed was the highest percentage among U.S. carriers.

“We already deliver a superior international experience and fly to the most places across the Atlantic and Pacific – these new innovations provide a more premium experience overall, give customers even more reasons to choose United, and set our airline up to grow into the next decade and beyond,” Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella said. 

The planes will have a “fresher, brighter and warmer feel” throughout the entirety of the aircraft and have updated food options. 

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United said it has invested more than $150 million in total food and beverage improvements this year. United Polaris business class customers will have a new onboard grab-and-go snack bar that includes treats from brands like Garretts, Community and Joe & Seph’s, as well as United Polaris Studio-specific options.

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UAL UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS INC. 78.99 -3.61 -4.37%

The airline will also introduce mid-flight meal options that include a regionally influenced tapas service. United Economy customers will see expanded dining options too, with three entrée choices, new desserts and an appetizer course.

Texas Roadhouse unseats longtime Italian restaurant chain from top spot

There’s a new king in the U.S. casual dining scene.

Texas Roadhouse has surpassed Olive Garden as the No. 1 casual dining destination based on systemwide sales, according to new data from Technomic on the 500 largest restaurant chains in America.

The Louisville, Kentucky-based steakhouse chain overtook Olive Garden, which had held the top spot since 2018.

AMERICA’S BEST STEAKHOUSES INCLUDE 2 RESTAURANTS EACH IN 9 STATES: IS YOURS AMONG THEM?

Texas Roadhouse sales surged 14.7% last year to $5.5 billion, while Olive Garden sales rose just 0.8% to $5.2 billion in 2024, according to Technomic.

Olive Garden has tried to lure more customers with its $6 take-home entrées and endless soup or salad and breadsticks.

The Orlando, Florida-based Italian restaurant chain, owned by parent company Darden Restaurants, opened 15 new restaurants in 2024, compared to 26 new locations for Texas Roadhouse, Restaurant Business reported.

MCDONALD’S IS MOST POPULAR FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT BY GOOGLE SEARCHES, SAYS STUDY

Fox News Digital reached out to Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden for comment.

Steakhouses represented three of the top 10 casual dining restaurants on the list.

LongHorn Steakhouse, which is also owned by Darden Restaurants, jumped Tampa, Florida-based Outback Steakhouse, according to the data.

Below is Technomic’s list of the top 10 casual dining restaurants in America.

1. Texas Roadhouse

2. Olive Garden

3. Chili’s

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4. Applebee’s

5. Buffalo Wild Wings

6. LongHorn Steakhouse

7. Outback Steakhouse

8. The Cheesecake Factory

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9. Red Lobster

10. Red Robin

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