Sean “Diddy” Combs’s Manhattan federal trial has captivated the public imagination with searing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and partying fueled by drugs. In its second week, the trial turned sensational as testimony was heard of ecstasy tablets cut into the shape of former President Barack Obama’s face, spreading viral disinformation on social media. Unfolding as it is, the trial paints an intricate picture of a tangle of accusations against the rap tycoon, as social media twists reality.
55-year-old Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, is charged with major federal offenses, such as racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting for prostitution. Diddy is accused of using his power as founder of Bad Boy Records to orchestrate “Freak Offs”—sex acts fueled by substances that included violence and abuse. Court papers report that there is a decades-long history of exploitation involving women, to which Combs is accused of using drugs, violence, and monetary control to coerce consent. Combs pleaded not guilty, while his team acknowledged substance abuse but maintained that every sexual episode was voluntary.
The trial, which began in May 2025, has drawn intense scrutiny, with testimony from high-profile witnesses like Combs’ former girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who described years of alleged abuse and coerced participation in “Freak Offs.” The case, expected to last eight weeks, could result in a life sentence if Combs is convicted.
A key moment came from David James, Combs’ former personal assistant from 2007 to 2009, who testified about the mogul’s drug use. James claimed Combs carried a Louis Vuitton bag containing 25 to 30 pill bottles, including Percocet, Viagra, and ecstasy—some shaped like Barack Obama’s face.
“I once saw him take an ecstasy pill shaped like a former president’s face,”
James told prosecutor Christy Slavik, identifying Obama when pressed. He also described picking up drugs from a dealer nicknamed “One-Stop” and delivering them to hotel rooms for the alleged “Freak Offs.”
James’ testimony painted a vivid picture of Combs’ lifestyle, including late-night errands and a culture of excess. He recounted preparing hotel rooms with items like lubricant, condoms, and Ciroc vodka, often at the Trump International, Combs’ preferred New York stay. Underscore the prosecution’s narrative of a calculated criminal enterprise.
Social media erupted with claims that Obama met with Combs’ drug supplier, “One-Stop,” or was linked to the “Freak Offs.” Posts on X amplified this narrative, with some alleging secret meetings between Obama and Combs’ associates, even implicating other former presidents. These claims, shared widely and reported by outlets like TMZ, have fueled speculation about political ties to Combs’ case.
