Diddy’s Racketeering and Trafficking Case: What Other Celebrities Are Saying
Diddy has been denied bail following his arrest earlier this week in New York. Here's a look at what 50 Cent, Aubrey O'Day, and others have said about the case.
Diddy has been denied bail again, with prosecutors arguing that he should remain in custody until trial following his arrest earlier this week in New York.
An unsealed three-count indictment shared by prosecutors the day after Diddy’s arrest saw the 54-year-old producer and mogul, who’s been a sustaining presence in the music industry for the better part of 30 years, accused of heading a racketeering conspiracy involving alleged sex trafficking and bribery. More specifically, he’s been accused of leading what prosecutors have described as a long-running “criminal enterprise,” which they say was used to abuse and exploit multiple alleged victims.
For a closer look at the charges, see here. Diddy has pleaded not guilty in the case, with his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, previously calling him "an innocent man with nothing to hide."
Perhaps due to the severity of the charges, commentary from celebrities and other public figures has been somewhat limited in the days since the initial news of Diddy’s arrest broke. At any rate, we’ve compiled a rundown of some of the familiar names who have spoken out thus far.
50 Cent
As longtime readers will note, 50’s commentary on all things Diddy has been consistent throughout the past year’s lawsuits, allegations, and more. This time around, 50 zeroed in on what law enforcement agencies allegedly seized from the Bad Boy Records founder, namely over 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil.
Image via 50 Cent on Instagram
Stephen A. Smith
The routinely-in-headlines sports personality spoke at length about Diddy’s case, speculating that “there’s a bigger fish to fry” here.
“You got Homeland Security involved, you got the feds involved,” Smith said on his show. “I got news for you. They ain’t coming just for him. They coming for a whole bunch of people.”
Kesha
After previously changing the “feeling like P. Diddy” line in her 2009 hit “Tik Tok” to “fuck P. Diddy” during live performances, Kesha has teased what sounds like a tweaked studio version of the revised track, complete with the same lyric swap.
Boosie Badazz
Boosie took a different approach, arguing that Diddy is facing potential time behind bars “for doing basically what so many other entertainers have done.” That tweet has since had a context disclaimer added to it. In a follow-up tweet, Boosie specifically questioned the sex trafficking charge.
Image via Boosie Badazz on X
Image via Boosie Badazz on X
Aubrey O’Day
"The purpose of justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter. Women never get this,” the ex-Danity Kane member said in an IG Stories update. “I feel validated. Today is a win for women all over the world, not just for me. Things are finally changing.”
O’Day also spoke with TMZ, telling the outlet she “never thought I would see this day.”
Image via Aubrey O'Day on Instagram
Mase
The It Is What It Is co-host, whose past commentary on Diddy includes his “I’m saving my takes for the documentary” remark from earlier this year, was widely assumed to be referencing Diddy’s arrest with his choice of tie during a recent episode.
Charlamagne Tha God
Not unlike Smith, Charlamagne theorized that other names could end up embroiled in the case.
“If he gets racketeering and sex trafficking for Freak Offs, there will be others involved,” he said on The Breakfast Club. “Like, if you ever ran a train with Diddy, you’re probably going to jail.”
He also spoke about possible video evidence, which has itself received attention post-indictment.
Faizon Love
Love claimed he was “confused” by the case, pointing to the mention of baby oil and downplaying the sexual aspects of the case. His defensive remarks were criticized, with several ensuing IG comments urging him to read the indictment.
“Please tell me what was illegal,” Love said at one point.
Shyne
The former rap artist and present-day politician, who previously described himself as “the fall guy” in an infamous 1999 shooting, Shyne said Diddy is someone who “destroyed my life.” He added that he has forgiven him, however, specifying that he gets no “joy” from seeing these latest developments, per Channel 5 Belize.
