Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial is underway in Manhattan, where the music mogul faces serious charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy. The prosecution alleges that Combs orchestrated a decades-long criminal enterprise using his business empire, including Bad Boy Entertainment, to exploit women and men for sex. On May 12, 2025, the day of opening statements, a correspondent explained how Combs’ legal team doesn’t call him “Diddy” in court. Here’s the most likely reason why.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal team doesn’t call him by his nickname while in court during the trial
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial is officially underway. As of May 13, 2025, Combs’ defense strategy in his federal sex trafficking trial is centered on challenging the prosecution’s narrative and questioning the credibility of the accusers. Lead attorney Marc Agnifilo has argued that the sexual activities described by prosecutors were consensual, and he has attempted to discredit a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Additionally, the defense has filed motions alleging that the government leaked this video to the media, potentially tainting the jury pool and violating Combs’ right to a fair trial.
Law&Crime Network caught up with correspondent Elizabeth Millner, who’s watching the trial unfold from the courtroom.
“From the defense’s perspective, they were painting Diddy, and they were honest about it,” Millner explained. “He’s a complicated man. But this isn’t a complicated case. Essentially, the defense was saying this is about real relationships that the government is turning into a RICO charge and sex trafficking. And this isn’t the case that a lot of people may have heard on the news — that’s what the defense says.”
Millner explained how the defense only refers to their client as “Sean Combs” while in court, and never “Diddy.”
“It’s never really Diddy, or P. Diddy, or Puff Daddy inside that courtroom,” she continued. “It’s always Sean.”
Here’s the most likely reason why the defense avoids his famous nickname
Before his arrest, Sean “Diddy” Combs was known as one of the biggest names in the music industry. Not only did Combs make his own music, but he also had a reputation for making the dreams of others come true. Bad Boy Records, which he founded in 1993, helped launch the careers of huge names fans know today, like The Notorious B.I.G. Fans knew Combs — known as “Diddy” or “Puff Daddy” — for selling a lifestyle of luxury, wealth, and partying.
With this in mind, it makes sense that his defense wants to humanize “Diddy” by referring to him simply as Sean Combs. While “Diddy” implies a larger-than-life media persona, Combs brings the music mogul back down to earth. The defense likely wants the jury to view Combs as just another man who engaged in sexual practices that others may not agree with, but were ultimately consensual. “Sean Combs” strips the mogul from his status and makes him appear like anyone else.
So, will the defense’s strategy work? It’s too soon to tell.
The hip-hop mogul once said he calls himself ‘Diddy’ when he’s ‘acting crazy’
Sean “Diddy” Combs has gone by many names over the years, ranging from Puffy, to Puff Daddy, to Puff, to P. Diddy, and Diddy. While speaking to Ellen DeGeneres in 2015, Combs explained when he prefers “Diddy” as his nickname.
“It also depends on what moon I’m in, you know?” he said of his nicknames. “If I’m acting crazy, that’s Diddy, you know what I’m saying? If I’m dancing with a girl real smooth, that’s Puff Daddy; if I’m looking like I’m scared, or nervous, or shy, that’s Sean.”
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
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