Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of 'forced labor' in new indictment
NBCMAR 5
Diddy Faces New Forced Labor Claims in Sex Trafficking Case
Above: Police officers are seen as Sean 'Diddy' Combs' family members arrive at the Southern District of New York Federal Court in NYC on Wednesday, Dec. 18, for a hearing over alleged sex trafficking charges. Image copyright: Selcuk Acar/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Since Cassie Ventura accused Diddy of abuse in 2018, his troubles have escalated. A growing list of accusers and federal charges now paint him as a 20-year sex trafficking mastermind, with forced labor and coerced "Freak Off" sex parties in the mix. Evidence like high-powered guns, drugs, and blackmail stacks higher with each indictment. As the law closes in, Diddy's odds of escaping look slimmer and slimmer.
Narrative B
Diddy stands firm in his not-guilty plea, backed by his family's united support despite devastating accusations. His kids insist the truth will prevail, while his lawyer highlights his voluntary return to New York to face the court as proof that he's ready to fight, not flee. With his attorney denying all claims as false, Diddy's innocence holds until proven otherwise in his May 5 trial.
Cynical narrative
From Diddy to Harvey Weinstein to Jeffrey Epstein, the world is beginning to wake up to the fact that not only do certain rich and powerful people commit crimes, but their form of crime is uniquely perverse. The reason they get away with such depravity is due to the corrupt culture within these halls of power — a culture that's thankfully being exposed but must be further investigated.