Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ defense team announced they will not call any witnesses in his sex trafficking trial. The music mogul also will not testify on his own behalf.
Federal prosecutors are expected to finish their case on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, after presenting evidence for more than six weeks. Nearly three dozen witnesses have testified against Combs during the trial.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 26. Combs faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors have presented text messages, travel records, hotel receipts, and sexually explicit videos as evidence. They claim Combs organized events called “freak-offs” that involved male escorts and forced women into sexual encounters.
Witnesses included former romantic partners, personal assistants, and federal agents. One woman testified under the fake name “Jane” to protect her identity.
Combs’ lawyer says the music producer was part of the “swinger lifestyle” and denies all accusations. The defense maintains that any sexual encounters were consensual between adults.
By not calling witnesses, Combs’ legal team will rely on their cross-examination of prosecution witnesses. They will also use closing arguments to challenge the government’s case.
The decision not to have Combs testify is common in criminal trials. Defendants often avoid taking the stand to prevent prosecutors from questioning them directly. The trial has lasted over six weeks in federal court. If convicted on all charges, Combs could face decades in prison.
The case has drawn significant media attention due to Combs’ fame as a rapper, producer, and business mogul. He founded Bad Boy Records and has won multiple Grammy Awards during his career.
The jury will decide Combs’ fate after hearing closing arguments from both sides this week.
