Update (July 4, 2025): This news was updated to reflect the court’s latest decision denying Sean “Diddy” Combs bail. Earlier reports mentioned family celebrations based on the possibility of his release, which did not materialize.
The steps of the Manhattan federal courthouse transformed into a surreal stage as Sean “Diddy” Combs’ supporters celebrated his partial acquittal by dousing each other with baby oil. Chanting “It’s not RICO, it’s FREAKO!” to thumpin′ Bad Boy Records hits, the crowd made a win in court a contentious, viral event. Amidst puffs of marijuana smoke, the scene captivated globe-wide attention, marrying celebration and scandal.
Following a seven-week trial that captivated the public, Bad Boy Records music boss Sean Combs was cleared of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking counts on July 2, 2025. The jury found him guilty of transportation of a person to engage them in prostitution twice, both related to his former girlfriends Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and a woman who used the alias “Jane.” Quincy Brown, Diddy’s son, was seen in high spirits earlier, anticipating what the family hoped would be Diddy’s release. However, those hopes were dashed when the judge ultimately denied bail, despite a $1 million bond proposal.
The baby oil spraying, verified by outlets like Mediaite and Consequence, was a defiant nod to trial evidence. Prosecutors had spotlighted over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricants seized during March 2024 raids on Combs’ homes, tying them to alleged “Freak Off” parties drug-fueled sexual events. Supporters, including Brooklyn YouTuber Tes Harper (“Oota on Go”), embraced the symbol, with Harper quipping, “If you don’t slip, you must acquit.” Social media footage, including a tweet by journalist Matt Lavietes, showed revelers pouring oil amid chants and music, while riot police managed the swelling crowd.
A post from X.
The baby oil celebration, while a striking show of solidarity, divided onlookers. Some saw it as a bold reclamation of the trial’s narrative, turning a prosecution symbol into one of defiance. Others deemed it tone-deaf, given the gravity of the allegations, which included years of alleged abuse and coercion. The scene echoed high-profile trial spectacles, like protests noted by UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in unrelated contexts, underscoring how celebrity cases ignite public fervor.
The courthouse chaos wasn’t just a stunt it was a cultural moment. Supporters, including Combs’ family, clapped and cheered as he fell to his knees in prayer after the verdict, with his mother, Janice, blowing kisses to fans. Yet, prosecutor Christy Slavik’s words lingered: Combs had evaded accountability for years through “money, power, and influence.”
The baby oil spectacle, while playful to some, highlighted the complex interplay of celebrity, justice, and public perception. As Combs awaits sentencing, this bizarre celebration will linger as a vivid footnote in a trial that exposed the darker side of fame.
