The release of truly devastating footage that shows Sean “Diddy” Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie in 2016 sent shockwaves through the internet on Friday. In the video obtained by CNN, Combs is seen violently dragging, kicking and shoving the singer as she tries to leave their hotel room. The footage is believed to be of an alleged incident described in Cassie’s lawsuit as taking place at a now-closed InterContinental Hotel in the Century City area of Los Angeles.
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As the video became headline news, on Sunday, Combs issued an apology for his actions in the video, saying in part, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” IN the Instagram video he added: “I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” going on to explain that he got treatment for his issues.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office issued a statement saying that the if incident happened in 2016 it “occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”
Combs’ status within the Black entertainment world makes his downfall particularly shocking, which has led to reactions from those closest to him, former friends, business associates and others familiar with the case.
Misa Hylton
Misa Hylton, the mother of Diddy’s son Justin, expressed her sadness on Instagram. “I am heartbroken that Cassie must relive the horror of her abuse, and my heart goes out to her. I know exactly how she feels, and through my empathy, it has triggered my own trauma.”
Misa Hylton
She went on to describe how the mothers of Diddy’s children work together to raise them. “These young people were raised by women that want the best for them – we put God and education first and have always been united in our mutual effort to support their dreams,” Hylton wrote. “Two of the youngest do not have their mother here and it has been our duty to support them. Their father needs help and I am praying that he truly does the personal work and receives it.”
Charlamagne Tha God
After previously discussing the “mixed emotions” around burning down the legacies of problematic Black men, on Monday’s “The Breakfast Club” Charlamagne finally had time to call out Diddy for his abuse of Cassie. The media personality named Combs the “Donkey of the Day.”
Charlamagne Tha God
Following a clip of Combs’ apology video, Charlamagne delivered his reaction to the situation, saying, “He’s not sorry, he’s sorry he got caught. He’s sorry that the video leaked, OK? If that video hadn’t come out, he’d still be lying right now.”
Aubrey O’Day
Former Danity Kane member Aubrey O’Day has been telling everyone about Diddy for years. In response to his apology video she took to X to call out his previous denials.
“Diddy did not apologize to Cassie. He apologized to the world for seeing what he did,” she wrote on X. “He says he’s ‘disgusted w himself now, and he was disgusted w himself then’.. but apparently he wasn’t disgusted enough w himself to not PIN this statement out calling her a liar & denying all of it.. leave god and mercy out of this, they aren’t present here, and you know it.”
Shyne
Shyne, who has moved on from rap to politics in Belize, hopped on Instagram to condemn Diddy, writing, “There is no place for Violence against Women anywhere on the planet. As a father of a precious daughter, a global citizen and the next Prime Minister of Belize I want absolutely nothing to do with people who engage in this pattern of diabolical behavior,” he wrote. “My prayers are with Cassie and all the other victims who have come forward with horrendous allegations against Mr Combs.”
Revolt
Diddy’s former media company, Revolt, issued its own statement on the fallout around the video of Combs assaulting Cassie.
“We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent video circulating of our former chairman, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs,” the statement reads. “Even with his recent separation from REVOLT, it is still our duty to address this matter, and recognize the direct impact it has on our staff, our audience, and the culture we represent.”
“REVOLT stands in solidarity with all who have been a victim of abuse and remains committed to upholding the values and integrity our community expects from us,” the statement continues. “We vehemently stand against any form of domestic abuse, and will always be a fearless advocate for truth and accountability.”
50 Cent
One of Diddy’s most vocal critics wasted no time calling out his longtime rival. Alongside a clip of the video, the rapper posted a sarcastic message, writing on X, “Now I’m sure Puffy didn’t do it, he is innocent this proves nothing! This is what his lawyers are gonna say, God help us all.”
50 Cent
You know Fif didn’t stop there, posting a series of tweets about the situation, including a reaction to Diddy’s apology video, writing on X, “This is not going to work, who is advising him right now? SMH bad move.”
Slim Thug
The rapper had previous expressed his frustration and disappointment in men like Combs or Bill Cosby being held accountable for their alleged past misdeeds. However, following the video’s release, he changed his tune, slightly.
Slim Thug
After initially questioning Cassie’s claims and wondering if she was just after money, the rapper admitted that he was wrong. Alongside a screenshot of the New York Post’s story on the video, he wrote on Instagram, “Damn Diddy, I tried to ride with the Blk man who had no charges yet, but I can’t stand behind this. I will take this L.”
Claudia Jordan
On Instagram, the TV personality had strong words for the people who defended Diddy from Cassie’s allegations, writing, “And some folks were really STILL defending this man and claiming Cassie was just ‘money hungry.’ Mind you this is what happened when she tried to leave him. Women need 50-11 witnesses, medical records and surveillance footage to kinda get believed—-but it’s still our fault for ‘putting ourselves in these situations.’ SMH!!!!!”
Claudia Jordan
Jordan was not finished with her Instagram sermon, adding, “Also- STOP making excuses for people you like just cause they are rich or celebs!! People always call women that tell the truth about these monsters money grubbing whores and question THEIR motives and never those of the alleged abuser! It’s sooooo hard to get sympathy and support from the world when the abuser is even slightly successful and it’s sickening!! Yes moguls, singers, rappers, actors, struggle actors, podcasters, athletes, Super Bowl winners, politicians, comedians, presidents and local DJs all CAN and sometimes ARE vicious abusers!!”
Cedric the Entertainer
“The Neighborhood” star called the video “disturbing” and “diabolical. He also expressed his disappointment in Diddy, urging him to genuinely “atone” for his actions.
Cedric the Entertainer
“Very disappointed by the state of our community! This video of Diddy assaulting Cassie is beyond disturbing, its deplorable and at moments downright diabolical,” he wrote on Instagram. “As a Father to Daughters and Young Men, he must take real time to atone his and all the souls he has affected. Its the kinda damage that permeates generations.”
Judge Greg Mathis
Like many other notable public figures, the TV host took to social media to show his support for Cassie, as well as all the victims of domestic violence.
Judge Greg Mathis
“Had a hard time watching the Cassie video. SADLY, SHE IS NOT THE ONLY VICTIM. SISTAS, KEEP YA HEAD UP,” Mathis wrote on Instagram.
Erica Campbell
The Mary Mary singer reminded everyone that the footage being so widely circulated forces Cassie to relive the trauma of her abuse.
Erica Campbell
Campbell sent prayers and support to Cassie, writing on Instagram, “I’m so sorry you have to relive this, as so many are talking about your pain. May your new reality of love and family be louder. Prayers and blessings and love.”
Stephen A. Smith
It’s no surprise that the ESPN personality had extremely strong feelings about the video, letting the world know exactly what he thinks of Combs actions.
Stephen A. Smith
While reacting to the video, Smith declared Diddy’s career “over in the worst possible way” and called the footage “Inexcusable” and “indefensible.”
Christina Milian
While attending the Cannes Film Festival, the singer/actress reflected on how she hopes the publicity will lead to more compassion and respect for victims.
“I think this sheds light that this happens more often. More often than you think,” she told Daily Mail Online. “My heart and my support and my love goes out to Cassie…I think for years many have. And I think it’s important they continue too, so that we can stop it. I love that they’re gonna make us put a stop to any kind of horrific abuse.”
Ryan Clark
On the latest episode of “The Pivot” podcast, the ESPN NFL analyst didn’t hold back, calling Combs “a bitch.” He also condemned other men for their reactions when abuse victims come forward, saying in part, “It’s a lesson to all of us, that we definitely want people to be innocent until proven guilty. But we have to be fair in the way that we assess it and understand that two people are going through it and more than anything, a lot of times something has happened to these women. They’re going through something and we had to be fair to them to wait and at least know that this or that happened before we start calling them liars, before we start defending people just because we have the same melanin in our skin.
Ryan Clark
“I will never in any way. defend him. vouch for him, give him any sort of grace when it comes to this,” Clark continued. “We’ve heard shit about this man forever, but to see it like that, to see him stomp that girl out and then want to be in front of people acting like he loved her, acting like he cared about her. It’s one of the more fucked up things I’ve ever seen. And he is a bitch to me forever.”
Alex Fine
Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, showed his unconditional support for his wife in a “Letter to women and children” written “a while back.”
Alex Fine
“Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable it and protect those people aren’t men…Men who hurt women hate women,” he wrote in part.
And to the abusers he delivered this message: “You’re done, you’re not safe anymore, you’re not protected anymore. The men by your side are just as weak. You’re so miserable with yourself that [death] would be considered a kindness.”
Meredith Firetog
Cassie’s lawyer responded to Diddy’s apology video, stating, “Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday. That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”
Kelly Price
Price found herself as the subject of intense internet backlash when she replied to Diddy’s video with prayers encouraging him to not just experience a “change of heart but a change of mind and a change of direction.”
Kelly Price
As the criticism got louder, she responded on IG Live where she explained she wasn’t being a “Diddy cheerleader,” she just wanted him to continue to do the work to get himself better.
She also clarified that she was just as horrified by the video as everyone else.
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