9:22 AM PT -- Arguments have officially ended in Diddy's appeal, and the judges will now begin their decision-making process. During the hearing, Diddy's lawyers mentioned Cassie Ventura's alleged drug use, which they were not allowed to present during the federal trial.
They also mentioned a "hotel night" -- another term for the freak-offs Diddy enjoyed -- with "Jane," which wasn't connected to any threat. The lawyers shared their hope for an expedited ruling on the part of the judges ... though it's unclear how long it will take them to decide.
Sean Diddy Combs could be a free man today, after his lawyers appear before a federal appeals court and argue his freak-offs were not a violation of any law ... rather, it was kinky porn that is protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Fact is ... it's a solid argument. Diddy was convicted of the Mann Act -- which prohibits the transportation of prostitutes across state lines to engage in sex acts.
Diddy's lawyers claim the Mann Act doesn't apply ... "Freak-offs and hotel nights were highly choreographed sexual performances involving the use of costumes, role play, and staged lighting which were filmed so Combs and his girlfriends could watch this amateur pornography later. Pornography production and viewing of this sort is protected by the First Amendment and thus cannot constitutionally be prosecuted."
Usher is lending major support to Diddy, saying he strongly believes Diddy's legacy in music should remain intact despite any "flaws" he may have.
The legendary singer sat down for a recent interview with Forbes, and at one point, the topic turned to Diddy -- AKA Sean Combs -- who is serving a prison term of more than 4 years, after his 2025 conviction on two counts of transporting people across state lines for the purposes of prostitution.
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Check out the video ... Usher tells journalist Jabari Young he thinks “certain people are prosecuted and maybe not recognized for the greatness that they offer.”
Yung Miamisays her association with Diddyaffected her pocketbook ... claiming she lost money -- and more -- because of her relationship with the mogul.
The rapper sat down for an interview with Charlamagne tha God on "The Breakfast Club" Tuesday ... and he asked her if being tight with Diddy had cost her something in the real world -- something more substantial than an influx of online hate.
YM says it cost her views, money -- and even relationships with people in her life ... all of which has been very hard on her.
Jay-Z reveals he had a really rough 2025 when now-dropped sexual assault allegations took him to a very dark place ... according to a new interview.
As you know ... a Jane Doe accuser alleged both Jay-Z and Diddy raped her when she was 13. But she later filed docs in federal court to voluntarily dismiss the case with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled.
In the new GQ interview, Jay says ... "That s*** took a lot out of me. I was angry. I haven't been that angry in a long time ... uncontrollable anger."
Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs are arguing his sentence is far too harsh ... accusing the judge in a new legal filing of punishing him for crimes for which he was acquitted.
The rapper's legal team filed an appeal Friday in which they point out a jury found Diddy not guilty of sex trafficking and RICO charges ... yet Diddy received a sentence his lawyers say is roughly four times higher than normal for his prostitution-related Mann Act convictions.
Diddy's lawyers blast his 50-month sentence as a "perversion of justice."
Christian Combs isn't taking 50 Cent's recent online digs lying down ... he's hitting back at the "senior citizen" by bringing up his baby mama!
Here's the deal ... 50 Cent shared a clip of Christian trying to get a "Bad Boy" chant started at a recent concert -- which went over like a lead balloon and made for a hilariously awkward moment.
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50 captioned the post, "Damn 👀his timing was just a little off. 😳" ... which got fans cackling online. Christian, however, wasn't snickering -- he was crafting his own roast online.
Diddy's got a big payday problem, as in some of his employees are angry they're not getting paid while he's locked up in federal prison ... but his rep insists he has it under control.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Diddy's fortune is being handled by business management firm Tri Star Sports & Entertainment while he's in the clink, and we're told they're keeping a tight leash on his money -- too tight for some people on the payroll.
For instance, we're told some attorneys handling Diddy’s mountain of civil lawsuits have gone unpaid, and other staffers have been stiffed as well, and, as a result, at least one of them has quit.
Diddy’s children are ready to tell their side of the story after the fallout from their father’s criminal case ... and they’re doing it in a new docuseries.
Two of Diddy’s sons, Christian and Justin, announced in a new promo Sunday they’re partnering with Zeus Network on the project, which is set to drop in 2026.
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The trailer opens with Justin turning on a television as the brothers sit side by side, watching footage from Diddy’s sex trafficking trial and reliving moments where reporters swarm them outside the courthouse.
Christian and Justin stare blankly as headlines about Diddy’s case, lawsuits, and alleged parties flash across the screen.
At one point, a young girl is heard saying, “Your daddy got four years” -- seemingly heckling the brothers following Diddy’s sentencing to four years and two months in prison on prostitution-related charges.
Justin is seen placing his hand on Christian’s shoulder as they watch old footage of the Combs family entering and exiting the New York courthouse, along with video of federal agents outside their homes during the March 2024 raids.
Diddyreceived a Christmas treat as he spent his second holiday behind bars -- a visit from his son, Justin!
Diddy’s rep, Juda Engelmayer, tells TMZ … Justin Combs visited Diddy at Fort Dix Prison in New Jersey on Christmas Day, and they spoke a bunch, catching up on life and each other. Specifically, we're told they talked about how to manage life in this time, to pray, appreciate loved ones and reflect on the past with a resolution to do better going forward. But ... there were no physical gifts passed around, as that is not allowed.
Diddy continued his introspection on Christmas day with a few inmates when they had their own private reflective mass, Engelmayer adds.
Diddy's legal team is ripping Judge Arun Subramanian, accusing him of crossing a line with the 50-month sentence ... and acting more like a juror than a judge.
Diddy filed a new appeal late Tuesday evening, demanding his conviction be overturned, and his release from prison ... or, at the very least, his sentence be lightened. While his lawyers have previously filed multiple appeals, this one singles out Judge Subramanian for acting as the "thirteenth juror" in Diddy's criminal trial.
In the docs, lead appeal attorney Alexandra Shapiro claims the judge's "draconian" 50-month sentence is based on the conduct for which the actual jurors acquited Diddy -- namely, the racketeering and sex trafficking counts.
Shapiro claims Subramanian incorrectly said during sentencing he could consider Diddy's behavior related to the more violent charges -- even though he'd been acquited of them -- which she calls a violation of Diddy's constitutional rights.
Hulk Hogan's death came as a shock to the world ... and to our newsroom, where we were shooting one of our TV shows when the Sports Department learned the news. We later learned the WWE star died from a heart attack.
We dove more deeply into Hulk's life and death in our documentary "TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan" ... available to stream on Hulu.
Diddy Found Guilty on 2 Counts, Acquitted of Racketeering, Sex Trafficking
Diddy dodged a bullet when he was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering ... charges that could've landed him a life sentence in federal prison.
The music mogul's still doing time for his two Mann Act convictions ... but, check out this clip of our newsroom as the decision was announced -- complete and utter shock!
We were also live-streaming when Diddy received 50 months in federal prison ... even though it seemed like Judge Arun Subramanian might give him a whole lot more time behind bars.
Diddy is furious at Netflix for dropping the 50 Cent documentary on his legal troubles, but some of the video shot at Diddy's behest almost certainly has his criminal defense lawyer enraged.
There's a video in the doc shot by a guy Diddy hired to chronicle his life ... where he's talking to his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, about his impending arrest. Diddy is enraged at Agnifilo and the entire legal team, barking that they're losing the case.
Diddy has fired off a demand letter to Netflix, claiming the streamer is screwing him over by releasing a video that Diddy -- not the videographer -- owned. But here's the deal. There's a true victim in all of this -- the man who won the criminal case for Diddy -- Marc Agnifilo. We're told he did not know Diddy had someone recording their conversation when they spoke on the phone.
Sean "Diddy" Combs is steaming mad at Netflix and 50 Cent... because he's going scorched earth on a new docuseries that's about to hit the streaming service.
In a statement, Juda Engelmayer, a spokesperson for Diddy, tells TMZ ... "Netflix's so-called 'documentary' is a shameful hit piece" and "confirms that Netflix relied on stolen footage that was never authorized for release."
As you know, 50 promoted the docuseries Monday on "Good Morning America" before its Tuesday release on Netflix, and he previewed never-before-seen footage of Diddy recorded just prior to his September 2024 arrest.
50 also had a very different view on what Diddy's reaction would be to the series, saying the music mogul would think it was "amazing" and "the best documentary I've seen in a long time" with the exception of some bits and pieces. 50 added that Diddy would ultimately "see the truth in it."
50 Cent's new docuseries on Sean "Diddy" Combs is dropping Tuesday on Netflix ... but we're now getting a sneak peek into some of the highlights ... including never-before-seen footage of the music mogul just prior to his September 2024 arrest.
50 sat down Monday with "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts, as well as Alexandria Stapleton, the director of "Sean Combs: The Reckoning," to discuss the docuseries. Robin starts by asking the two whether they were surprised Diddy filmed the days leading up to his arrest by federal authorities in NYC.
As you know, Diddy was federally charged with racketeering, sex trafficking, and the Mann Act -- illegally transporting prostitutes across state lines. He was ultimately found guilty of 2 counts of the Mann Act and sentenced to 4 years in prison at trial.
King Combs talked to TMZ today at LAX where he was confident his dad won't have to serve his full 50-month sentence.
The 27-year-old rapper said the family will be playing his song "Diddy Free" throughout the holidays ... and King also told us they might not have to ... "Watch out, he might come home before then."
King told us his dad is doing well behind bars ... but he's still keeping his fingers crossed for an early release.
Diddy's working hard behind bars ... wrapping up after an honest day's work in new videos obtained by TMZ.
Check out the clips of the music mogul wrapping up his work for the evening on Friday at Fort Dix's media library located in the chapel, where he helps give movies and religious materials to inmates.
Diddy, wearing a brown knit cap to cover his gray hair, seems to be readying to stay for awhile ... removing his scarf and blue coat to reveal his gray prison uniform. Later on, he puts the jacket back on and takes his leave.
7/2/25
