P Diddy’s mother issues statement on sexual abuse allegations

Published

7 months ago

October 8, 2024

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Sean “Diddy” Combs’s mother has issued a statement defending him against sex trafficking charges and sexual misconduct allegations.

The rapper and music mogul – also known as P Diddy and Puff Daddy – has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts including sex trafficking and is facing allegations of sexual misconduct from 120 new accusers – 25 of whom were children at the time of the alleged offences.

The 54-year-old is currently awaiting a criminal trial having been denied bail at $50m (£37.8m).

Combs’s mother Janice Smalls Combs has released a statement through her attorney, Natlie G. Figgers, which Sky News has seen.

“It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies,” Ms Combs wrote.

“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,” she continued.

“Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.

“I am not here to portray my son as perfect because he is not. He has made mistakes in his past, as we all have.”

She went on to say he “may not have been entirely truthful about certain things,” referencing the fact he denied being violent towards ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, and settled her lawsuit out of court months before CNN aired hotel security footage showing Combs punching and kicking her and throwing her to the floor.

Ms Combs said she believed the federal government used his decision to settle out of court “by interpreting it as an admission of guilt”.

The federal government has charged Combs with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution after arresting him on 16 September.

The indictment alleges Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct” from at least 2008.

Then on 1 October Houston attorney Tony Buzbee revealed he would be filing lawsuits on behalf of 120 accusers – 60 males and 60 females – making claims of sexual assault, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

Mr Combs has denied all claims against him.

“It is important to recognise that none of us, regardless of our status, are immune to fear or mistakes,” Ms Combs wrote.

“Not being entirely straightforward about one issue does not mean my son is guilty of the repulsive allegations and the grave charges leveled against him.”

She said “watching the world make jokes and laugh at my son’s life crumbling before our eyes is something I can never forget” and that it was “truly agonising to watch the world turn against my son so quickly and easily”.

Ms Combs also claimed those making accusations against him were “seeking a financial gain, and not justice” and that the federal government was “using these lies to prosecute my son”.

Mr Buzbee, who has said he expects the 120 lawsuits to be filed next month, said the alleged sexual offences carried out against his clients has left them “injured, scared and scarred”.

Ms Combs concluded: “My son is not the monster they have painted him to be, and he deserves the chance to tell his side. I can only pray that I am alive to see him speak his truth and be vindicated.”

Ms Combs’s full statement

“I come to you today as a mother that is devastated and profoundly saddened by the allegations made against my son, Sean Combs. It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies.

“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.

“I am not here to portray my son as perfect because he is not. He has made mistakes in his past, as we all have. My son may not have been entirely truthful about certain things, such as denying he has ever gotten violent with an ex-girlfriend when the hotel’s surveillance showed otherwise.

“Sometimes, the truth and a lie become so closely intertwined that it becomes terrifying to admit one part of the story, especially when that truth is outside the norm or is too complicated to be believed. This is why I believe my son’s civil legal team opted to settle the ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit instead of contesting it until the end, resulting in a ricochet effect as the federal government used this decision against my son by interpreting it as an admission of guilt.

“It is important to recognise that none of us, regardless of our status, are immune to fear or mistakes. Not being entirely straightforward about one issue does not mean my son is guilty of the repulsive allegations and the grave charges leveled against him.

“Many individuals who were wrongfully convicted and later exonerated had their freedom taken from them not because they were guilty of the crimes they were accused of, but because they didn’t fit the image of what this society considers to be a ‘good person.’ History has showed us how individuals can be wrongfully convicted due to their past actions or mistakes.

“Watching the world make jokes and laugh at my son’s life crumbling before our eyes is something I can never forget. It is truly agonising to watch the world turn against my son so quickly and easily over lies and misconceptions, without ever hearing his side or affording him the opportunity to present his side.

“These lies thrown at him are motivated by those seeking a financial gain, and not justice. These individuals saw how quickly my son’s civil legal team settled his ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit, so they believe they can receive a quick payday by falsely accusing my son. False allegations of sexual assault thwart true victims of sexual violence from getting the justice they deserve.

“To make matters worse, the federal government is now using these lies to prosecute my son. This injustice has been unbearable for our family. The worst part of this ordeal is watching my beloved son be stripped of his dignity, not for what he did, but for what people choose to believe about him.

“I ask his supporters, fans, colleagues, friends, and the public, to not judge him before you’ve had the chance to hear his side. I beg you to think about those who have been wrongfully persecuted, to remember that not everyone who has made mistakes in life deserves to have their entire existence judged by a single action or a few mistakes.

“My son is not the monster they have painted him to be, and he deserves the chance to tell his side. I can only pray that I am alive to see him speak his truth and be vindicated.”

US

US and China agree to slash tariffs on each other

Published

11 mins ago

May 12, 2025

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US and China agree to slash tariffs on each other

The US and China, the world’s largest and second-largest economies, have agreed to slash tariffs on each other as they seek to end their trade war.

Speaking after talks with Chinese officials in Geneva, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent told reporters the two sides had reached a deal for a 90-day pause on measures.

US trade representative Jamieson Greer said so-called reciprocal tariffs were now at 10% each.

In real terms, it meant the US is reducing its 145% tariff to 30% on Chinese goods, as a tariff of around 20% had been in effect from previous administrations.

China has agreed to reduce its 125% retaliatory tariffs to 10% on US goods.

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Tariffs, taxes on imports of more than 100%, had been imposed on both sides. China was the only country exempt from a 90 pause on the “retaliatory” tariffs above the base 10% levies applied by America.

Major retailers had been warning President Donald Trump of empty shelves as US importers pause shipments.

Mr Bessent said after a weekend of negotiations in Switzerland, the countries had a mechanism for continued talks.

It’s the second major trade announcement made by the US in the last week, after a deal was secured with the UK on Thursday.

The move signals a willingness from the Americans to make deals on tariffs.

Welcomed news

The news was received positively by Asian stock markets on Monday as major indexes were up.

In China, the Shanghai Composite stock index rose 0.8%, the Shenzhen Component gained 1.7%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was up nearly 3%.

In countries across Asia, benchmark stock indexes also rose. Korea’s Kospi grew 1.1%, Japan’s Nikkei was up 0.8% while India’s Nifty 50 index of most valuable companies gained more than 3%.

US stocks look poised to rise on the open, based on after-hours trading. Wall Street’s tech-heavy Nasdaq is expected to rise by 3.3%, and the S&P 500 index of companies relied on to be stable and profitable by 2.5%.

What next?

As with the other counties subject to 90-day pauses, a permanent deal will need to be reached, but confidence across the world is likely to have been boosted.

Businesses now need a clear timetable and roadmap for future negotiations under the newly announced economic and trade consultation mechanism, said Andrew Wilson, the deputy secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce.

“The credibility of that process for resolving underlying frictions in the Sino-US economic relationship will be mission-critical in terms of restoring business confidence.”

US

Ukraine, Gaza and China: Why Trump’s Middle East tour takes on new importance

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2025

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Ukraine, Gaza and China: Why Trump's Middle East tour takes on new importance

Donald Trump’s tour of the Middle East this week has taken on a new importance after a series of surprising developments on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and on trade between the US and China.

After a diplomatic flurry over the weekend, it seemed like steps were being taken towards some form of possible peace in both Gaza and Ukraine.

Alongside that, Washington claimed it had made “substantial progress” in trade talks with China, with treasury secretary Scott Bessent going as far as to say a deal had been agreed to cut the US trade deficit. But there was no mention of reducing tariffs.

Mr Trump is due to travel to the Middle East later today on the first major foreign trip of his second presidency, visiting Saudi Arabia and then Qatar and the UAE.

It will coincide with a possible meeting between Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, in person in Turkey, and comes after Hamas said it would release a hostage, an Israeli soldier who holds American citizenship.

This leaves Mr Trump facing challenges on three fronts as he visits some of the richest nations in the world.

Zelenskyy and Putin to meet?

The US president previously claimed he could end the war in Ukraine in one day – something he has not done.

On Sunday, he put pressure on Mr Zelenskyy to sit down and meet with Mr Putin in person after Moscow put forward the proposal for talks in Istanbul.

This was something the leader from Kyiv quickly agreed to and it came after European leaders threatened Mr Putin with fresh sanctions.

Thursday could see a potential first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Moscow’s invasion began.

It could mark an extraordinary moment in the ongoing war in Ukraine, however, the countries are seemingly still a long way from actual peace.

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A trade deal or a first step?

After Mr Trump declared war on the existing global trade system in April, hitting allies and foes alike with tariffs, it left many reeling and triggered an escalation with China, which slapped Washington with reciprocal measures.

While those are still in place, the US said on Sunday that the two have agreed a deal to cut the US trade deficit.

However, despite confidence from the US side, China’s vice premier He Lifeng described the meeting as an “important first step” that created a foundation only.

No mention was made of reducing tariffs and this would do little good elsewhere where tariffs continue to add friction to previously freer global trade.

Israeli soldier to be released

In Gaza, previous efforts to achieve a ceasefire collapsed and Israel implemented a total ban on aid going into the enclave to try to pressure Hamas back to the negotiating table.

With charities warning that the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza face a humanitarian crisis, the militant group has said it will release Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier who holds US citizenship.

It comes after Israel announced it intends to occupy the entire enclave, threatening years of more war.

No exact date was given, but Hamas said it would release the 21-year-old as part of ongoing efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire with Israel.

His expected release has been described as a “gesture of goodwill” by Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East.

The previously agreed ceasefire failed over disagreement on the transition from phase one onwards.

While Hamas wanted to progress to phase two, where work would be done towards Israel’s permanent withdrawal from Gaza and peace, Israel wanted to extend phase one and release more hostages.

Israel agreed to a framework proposed by the US that would see Hamas release half of the remaining hostages, its main bargaining chip, in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce.

While Mr Alexander is only one hostage, it will be seen as a promising sign that Hamas returned to the negotiating table and Mr Trump will be in Qatar, the key mediator in so-far unsuccessful peace efforts.

US

Trump sets up week that could define his presidency

Published

9 hours ago

May 12, 2025

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Trump sets up week that could define his presidency

It has been an extraordinary few hours which may well set the tone for a hugely consequential week ahead.

In the time that it took me to fly from London to Saudi Arabia, where President Donald Trump will begin a pivotal Middle East tour this week, a flurry of news has emerged on a range of key global challenges.

• On the Gaza war: The Trump administration has confirmed it’s holding talks with Hamas, who say it will release a hostage amid renewed hopes of a ceasefire.

• On the Ukraine war: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul – this announcement came minutes after Trump urged Zelenskyy to agree to the meeting.

• On the China-US trade war: The White House says the two countries have agreed to a “trade deal”. China said the talks, in Geneva, were “candid, in-depth and constructive”.

All three of these developments represent dramatic shifts in three separate challenges and hint at the remarkable influence the US president is having globally.

This sets the ground for what could be a truly consequential week for Trump’s presidency and his ability to effect change.

With his unique style, Trump is seeking to align numerous stars as he embarks on his first foreign diplomatic trip of his second presidency.

For days, it’s been unclear how the week ahead would unfold and which global challenge would be dominant.

The Saudi government has been instrumental as a broker in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and Qatar has been a mediator in the Gaza war.

Trump will visit both countries this week.

Putin under pressure?

On Ukraine, Putin held a late-night news conference at the Kremlin on Saturday at which he made the surprise proposal of talks with Zelenskyy in Istanbul this Thursday.

But he rejected European and US calls for an immediate ceasefire.

The move was widely interpreted as a delay tactic.

Trump then issued a social media post urging Zelenskyy to accept the Russian proposal; effectively to call Putin’s bluff.

The American president wrote: “President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly! I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!”

Within minutes, Zelenskyy responded, agreeing to the talks.

“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

The prospect of Putin and Zelenskyy together in Istanbul on Thursday is remarkable.

It raises the possibility that Trump would want to be there too.

Israel’s war in Gaza

On Gaza, it’s been announced that US envoy Steve Witkoff will arrive in Israel on Monday to finalise details for the release of Idan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage being held by Hamas.

The development comes after it was confirmed that Mr Witkoff has been holding discussions with Israel, Qatar and Egypt and, through them, with Hamas.

The talks focused on a possible Gaza hostage deal and larger peace discussions for a ceasefire.

Just days ago, Israel announced a new military plan to move back into Gaza.

When do candid talks become a trade deal?

Meanwhile, officials from the United States and China have been holding talks in Geneva, Switzerland, to resolve their trade war, which was instigated by Trump’s tariffs against China.

Late on Sunday evening, the White House released a statement claiming that a trade deal had been struck.

In a written statement, titled “U.S. Announces China Trade Deal in Geneva”, treasury secretary Scott Bessent said: “I’m happy to report that we made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks… We will be giving details tomorrow, but I can tell you that the talks were productive. We had the vice premier, two vice ministers, who were integrally involved, Ambassador Jamieson, and myself. And I spoke to President Trump, as did Ambassador Jamieson, last night, and he is fully informed of what is going on. So, there will be a complete briefing tomorrow morning.”

Beijing Global Times newspaper quoted the Chinese vice premier as saying that the talks were candid, in-depth and constructive.

However, the Chinese fell short of calling it a trade deal.

A Qatari gift

In a separate development, US media reports say that Qatar is preparing to gift Trump a Boeing 747 from its royal fleet, which he would use as a replacement for the existing and aging Air Force One plane.

The Qatari government says no deal has been finalised, but the development is already causing controversy because of the optics of accepting gifts of this value.