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On June 25, 2025, federal prosecutors have indicated that they will drop several major charges against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, including those regarding allegations of kidnapping, arson and aiding in sex trafficking. While fewer charges remain, the accusations are serious: racketeering and violations of the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for illicit purposes. This case has been unfolding since late 2023 and has become a media sensation. The publicity is not just because of Combs’ celebrity status, but because of the cultural and historical context surrounding powerful Black men in relation to abuse allegations and an overall lack of accountability.

The situation concerns more than a celebrity in trouble; it’s about whether the justice system can hold the ultra-wealthy and well-connected accountable. As most Americans know, race, power and fame play a hand in shaping the pursuit of justice, so the latest headlines surrounding Diddy are being perceived by some as the law backing down from Diddy. Here’s what we know about the embattled mogul’s criminal investigation.

An overview of Diddy’s original charges

As NBC News describes, Diddy initially faced an expansive and severe set of charges. These included federal racketeering, sex trafficking by force, transporting individuals (across state lines) for prostitution, drug distribution and coercion. The charges stemmed in part from multiple civil lawsuits. But the most well-known one of these is the one filed by singer and former partner Cassie Ventura. This lawsuit was filed in November 2023 and alleged physical abuse, rape and surveillance throughout their decade-long relationship. As many people have observed, this lawsuit opened the door for others to come forward with their experience of Diddy. At least four other civil suits were filed by former employees and associates. 

Then, in March 2024, federal agents executed search warrants at Diddy’s homes. During those raids, authorities found drugs including ketamine, GHB and ecstasy, as well as illegal firearms. They also found things like baby oil and personal lubricant. Prosecutors later described these items as “Freak Off” (private parties allegedly filled with drugs and coercive sex) supplies. So, with these incriminating bits of evidence clearly not working in favor of the star, changing his charges seemed unlikely. But, despite Diddy steadily being depicted as a criminal ringleader, some charges have been dropped.   

Why the Feds dropped the attempted kidnapping, attempted arson, aiding and abetting sex trafficking charges 

In a shocking move, federal prosecutors asked the court to dismiss some of the charges against Diddy just before closing arguments. These included kidnapping, arson and aiding in sex trafficking. As many people following the case know, one of the most well-known incidents that went viral is the attempted arson claim made by Kid Cudi. The “Pursuit of Happiness” hitmaker alleges that Diddy blew up his car in a jealous rage over Cassie. However, prosecutors are not pursuing this claim anymore.

The decision to drop the charges was a strategic move. As TMZ reports, the Department of Justice stated that only focusing on charges that they believed they could clearly prove was necessary to streamline the case for the presiding jury. This move came following challenges with witness reliability, but it’s also worth noting that the sheer amount of evidence required for a criminal conviction presented other challenges.

With reports of key witnesses being hesitant to testify (or just having credibility issues), keeping the charges made prosecution riskier and more complicated. So while civil complaints, like the example of ​​Capricorn Clark (former employee alleging she was kidnapped), contained some pretty incriminating narratives about Diddy, not all of the supporting materials were admissible in the federal criminal trial. Ultimately, the authorities felt that overreaching with extensive charges may take away from their main objective.

How much time will P. Diddy get, if convicted?

Although many charges have been dropped, those that remain are nothing to sneeze at. They carry severe penalties. If Diddy is convicted of sex trafficking by force, racketeering and the related charges (under the Mann Act), he could face a minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. As USA Today reports, “If convicted on the racketeering charge, Combs could face life in prison, while the statutory minimum sentence for sex trafficking is 15 years and for transportation to engage in prostitution is a maximum of 10 years.” This sentence may even be extended to life, depending on what sentencing enhancements are added to it. 

One of the important things to note about federal racketeering laws is that they were technically designed to prosecute people involved with organized crime, which allows for harsh sentencing. That is, however, if the government can prove that the defendant participated in a criminal enterprise over a period of time. Plus, if the drug distribution and firearm offenses are in the mix, legal penalties can stack up relatively quickly. As it stands now, the possibility of a decade-long prison sentence is a very real thing for Diddy if he is found guilty. 

How much money does Diddy have left?

Before these allegations came to light, Diddy’s net worth was around $740 million, according to News Nation. His entrepreneurial and financial empire was stacked. He was connected to companies like Bad Boy Records, Sean John, Revolt TV, Cîroc and DeLeón. Unfortunately for him, once the public caught wind of the allegations, things started falling apart. In 2024, his business relationship with Diageo, which is the parent company behind Cîroc and DeLeón was severed. Then, retailers like Macy’s pulled his Sean John merchandise from shelves and some advertisers even reportedly withdrew from Revolt. 

On top of these financial blows, legal expenses and settlement payouts have really eroded his finances. As of now, analyses suggest that his net worth has significantly diluted. As News Nation confirms, Diddy’s net worth is now closer to $400 million. This number is clearly not shabby, but it does represent a massive chunk of business lost. If Diddy is convicted, his assets will be impacted even more. In that case, they would be seized by the government and he would practically lose it all.

As Sara Azari, criminal trial attorney and NewsNation legal analyst, clarifies, “If he’s convicted of racketeering, he loses $400 million of his net worth…so all of that gets taken by the government. Not only will he lose, but his entire family will too…he will go from riches to rags.” 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is P. Diddy still owner of Ciroc?

According to AP News, as of 2024, Diddy is no longer a co-owner of Cîroc. But that may not technically be for the reasons people think. In May 2023, he sued Diageo (the current owner) over racism, so his relationship with the brand is now nonexistent.  

How many kids does Diddy have?

Diddy has seven kids, named Quincy (his adoptive bonus-son), Justin, Christian, Chance, D’Lila, Jessie and Love. As People reports, he had his children with four different women, Kim Porter, Misa Hylton, Sarah Chapman and Dana Tran.

A second round of refund payments will be distributed to Fortnite players, their parents or guardians as part of a multimillion-dollar settlement over unwanted in-game purchases.

How much is the FTC sending in refunds?

The Federal Trade Commission announced on Wednesday that more than $126 million in refunds will be sent to Fortnite gamers who filed by Feb. 14. The agency also stated that it is reopening the claims process tied to its 2022 settlement with Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, according to a news release and The Hill.

The agency stated that eligible consumers will have an additional two weeks to file a claim until July 9.

As Blavity reported, Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million to settle the FTC’s claim that the company used dark patterns to “trick” players into making unwanted purchases. Some of those players were children who made unauthorized charges without their parents’ consent, preventing them from reviewing the purchases and disputing the charges.

The FTC sent the first round of payments to more than 629,000 customers in December 2024, amounting to $72 million in refunds. In the latest round of payouts, the agency will send over 969,000 checks and PayPal payments on Wednesday and Thursday to consumers who filed valid claims, according to the news release.

“Today’s announcement brings the total amount of refunds the FTC has issued to consumers related to Epic’s deceptive billing practices to nearly $200 million,” the agency said in the news release.

The FTC stated that consumers selected their payment method when they completed their claim forms. Check recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the check. PayPal recipients should redeem their PayPal payments within 30 days.

How can I apply for a refund?

You can apply online at www.fortniterefund.com/file-a-claim.

To submit a claim, you’ll need either your claim number or your Epic account ID.

If you don’t receive an email with a claim number, you can find your Epic account ID by following the steps provided on the site.

Who is eligible to apply for a refund?

You may apply for a refund based on the following:

You were charged in-game currency for items you didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022.

Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018.

Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges.

You must be at least 18 to complete a claim form. If you are not yet 18, a parent or guardian must complete the claim form for you.

How much can consumers expect in payments?

An FTC spokesperson told The Hill that the average refund payment is about $130.

McDonald’s is the latest chain restaurant to change its menu amid the summer season.

According to Men’s Journal, Mickey D’s is removing Krispy Kreme items from its menu in just a few days. Read on for why the companies decided to end their partnership and how long you have to buy your last Krispy Kreme doughnut at McDonald’s.

McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme’s partnership began in 2023

Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s partnership stretches back to late 2023, when the food companies pursued a test rollout of Krispy Kreme items at 160 McDonald’s restaurants in Kentucky, USA Today reported. A year later, in October 2024, McDonald’s locations in the Chicago area started selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts, including the Original Glazed Doughnut, the Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut and the Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled Doughnut.

At the same time, Krispy Kreme locations offered customers a free doughnut if they showed a McDonald’s paper or digital receipt from Oct. 10-14, 2024.

As of March 2025, Krispy Kreme’s famous doughnuts were available at about 2,400 McDonald’s restaurants, Men’s Journal reported. The doughnut company planned to roll out its menu items in participating McDonald’s restaurants by the end of next year.

On Wednesday, Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s announced the end of their partnership, citing profitability as the reason for their split.

“We were excited and pleased to partner with Krispy Kreme,” Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald’s USA’s chief marketing and customer experience officer, said in a news release. “We had strong collaboration with Krispy Kreme and they delivered a great, high-quality product for us, and while the partnership met our expectations for McDonald’s and Owner/Operators, this needed to be a profitable business model for Krispy Kreme as well.”

“Our two companies partnered very closely, each supporting execution, marketing, and training, delivering a great consumer experience in approximately 2,400 McDonald’s restaurants,” Josh Charlesworth, Krispy Kreme CEO, also noted. “Ultimately, efforts to bring our costs in line with unit demand were unsuccessful, making the partnership unsustainable for us.”

Moving on from the partnership, Krispy is now “focused on making its fresh doughnuts available in more places, not just to eat but to share, through its two largest opportunities: profitable U.S. expansion through high-volume retail points of distribution and capital-light international franchise growth,” according to the news release.

Krispy Kreme menu items will be available at McDonald’s locations until July 2.

There’s increasing speculation about the U.S.’s role in the Israel-Iran ordeal after Donald Trump’s “doomsday plane” is spotted at Joint Base Andrews military facility in D.C. The doomsday plane, also known as the E-4B, is a Boeing 747, is used by the military during times of emergency, Newsweek reported.

What does the arrival of the ‘doomsday plane’ signal about U.S.’s conflict with Iran?

When the E-4B arrived at Joint Base Andrews on last week, reports indicated that the U.S. may be preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities as the tension between the two countries continues to grow. Flight tracking data from last week showed that the plane took off from Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City, Louisiana and arrived at Joint Base Andrews.

While the speculations circulated last week, a U.S. Air Force spokesperson told Snopes that the plane’s flight was part of a “pre-scheduled mission” and it’s unrelated to the conflict in the Middle East.

According Snopes, the Air Force website states that the E-4B is supposed to be used as a command center for the President and other high-ranking officials during times of emergency.

What are the special features of the ‘doomsday plane’?

The E-4B can carry up to 112 people and it’s capable of traveling over 7,000 miles, the New York Post reported. The plane, equipped with retaliatory missiles, is designed to survive nuclear blasts and cyberattacks. It’s also built with the 67 satellite dishes and antennas, making it possible to communicate with anyone in the world.

The plane can can refuel in midair and it can stay in the air for a week without landing, The Post reported. Some of the features of the plane include a briefing room, a conference area and command center.

The follow-up to The Social Network appears to be in the works.

According to Deadline, director Aaron Sorkin is now putting together the plan for a sequel of sorts, The Social Network Part II, after teasing the project for years. Sorkin is producing the Sony Pictures film with Todd Black, Peter Rice and Stuart Besser. Sorkin would write and direct the pic.

What will be the plot of ‘The Social Network 2’?

While it won’t be a direct sequel, Sorkin’s new movie would center on the 2021 Wall Street Journal articles known as “The Facebook Files,” which aimed to expose the harm caused by Facebook. Per Deadline sources, the new film will focus on how Facebook has impacted young people, as well as how it has affected politics. Deadline reported, “Insiders say that while it’s being called part two, it’s not a straight sequel but rather a follow-up to the original movie that explored the origins of what would become the world’s biggest social media platform.”

They continued, “Sources stress that the new film isn’t a ‘January 6’ movie and will focus not just on the 2020 election but also Facebook’s effect on teens, preteens, violence and countries outside the U.S.”

Sorkin wrote the screenplay for the original film, which was directed by David Fincher. The 2010 movie told the story of how Facebook started and overcame significant challenges to become the biggest social media platform in the world. Jesse Eisenberg played Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in the film, which also starred Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer and Max Minghella.

What has Aaron Sorkin previously said about a second film

Sorkin started teasing the follow-up to The Social Network in 2021 when he said, “What has been going on with Facebook these last few years is a story very much worth telling.” He also said then that a sequel could only happen if Fincher wants to direct the film.

Sorkin continued to tease fans last during a live recording of The Town podcast in 2024, Variety reported. That’s when Sorkin revealed that he’s writing about recent events related to Facebook. He also said on the podcast that he blames Facebook for the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“Facebook has been, among other things, tuning its algorithm to promote the most divisive material possible. Because that is what will increase engagement,” Sorkin said, according to Variety. “That is what will get you to — what they call inside the hallways of Facebook — ‘the infinite scroll’ … There’s supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity. There isn’t. It’s just growth.”

No other details are known about the project

Karmelo Anthony, now 18, who is accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Anthony Metcalf during a Texas high school track meet in April, was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the teen’s death.

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced Tuesday that a grand jury indicted Anthony in the April 2 stabbing death of Metcalf, 17, during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Anthony was 17 at the time, according to a news release from the Collin County District Attorney’s Office.

Under Texas law, once a person turns 17, they are legally considered an adult, and criminal charges are handled in adult court, according to the Texas District & County Attorney Association.

In a video statement, Willis called Metcalf’s death a “violent loss” and said the community was shaken by what happened at the track meet. He also discussed his trust in the criminal justice system regarding these charges.

District attorney speaks out following the grand jury’s indictment

“For weeks, my team has been presenting evidence to the grand jury. Today, I summarized that evidence, and I asked the Grand Jury to return a first degree murder indictment against Karmelo Anthony — which they did,” the district attorney said.

The court will schedule a date for trial.

“We know this case has struck a deep nerve — here in Collin County and beyond. That’s understandable. When something like this happens at a school event, it shakes people to the core. But the justice system works best when it moves with steadiness and with principle. That’s what we’re committed to. And that’s exactly what this case deserves,” Willis said.

He continued, “We’re also mindful of Austin’s family, and everyone who loved him. Please keep them in your thoughts — and, if you’re willing, in your prayers as well.”

If convicted, Anthony faces five to 99 years or life in prison for first-degree murder in Texas and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

‘I am pleased that we are moving forward’

Jeff Metcalf, the victim’s father, said he was “pleased” with the news of the indictment and “looks forward” to the trial as a step toward justice in his son’s death.

“I am pleased that we are moving forward. With the first-degree murder indictment, it now goes into the court system. I fully believe that justice will be served for Austin Metcalf. I look forward to the forthcoming trial. But it will never bring my son back,” he said, according to CBS News.

Mike Howard, Anthony’s attorney, said in a video statement that the teen and his family trust the justice system to prove he acted in self-defense against Metcalf.

“Karmelo and his family are confident in the justice system and the people of Collin County to be fair and impartial. Of course, Karmelo looks forward to his day in court,” Howard said.

“Because it’s only in a trial that the full story can be heard, and that impartial justice can be done,” he continued. “We expect that when the full story is heard, the prosecution will not be able to rule out the reasonable doubt that Carmelo Anthony may have acted in self-defense.”

Karmelo Anthony’s murder case so far, explained

Blavity reported that on April 2, Anthony, a former student at Centennial High School, and Metcalf, a student at Memorial High School, were both track athletes. The two got into an argument during a meet at Kuykendall Stadium. The confrontation escalated, ending with Metcalf’s death after Anthony allegedly stabbed him in the chest.

After the incident, Anthony told a school officer that he was “protecting himself” after Metcalf allegedly put his hands on him. When police labeled him as an alleged suspect, the teen admitted to stabbing the 17-year-old and said, “I’m not alleged. I did it.”

He was charged with first-degree murder and released on a reduced bond of $250,000 and has since been on house arrest.

A man who accuses prison officials of violating his Rastafarian religious beliefs by cutting his dreadlocks will now have his case heard by the Supreme Court.

The religious freedom case has gotten the support of the Trump administration, even as Louisiana argues against the man’s right to sue.

On Monday, the Supreme Court confirmed it would hear the case of Damon Landor, who had grown his dreadlocks for nearly 20 years before they were cut against his will by Louisiana officers while he was incarcerated at the Raymond Laborde Correction Center in 2020.

Louisiana admits fault but tries to avoid paying monetary damages

The state has already conceded that Landor was mistreated, with Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill stating in a court filing that prison policies have been changed to prevent something similar from happening again. But the state has argued that Landor is not eligible for monetary damages for his mistreatment, an opinion that lower courts have upheld. Now, however, that decision will be reexamined by the Supreme Court during its next term, which lasts from October until June.

Guards threw the court ruling in the trash before shaving Landor’s head

Landor was serving the final part of a five-month prison sentence when his hair was cut against his will. While in prison, Landor carried with him a copy of a court ruling obtained by a different inmate that established that cutting a prisoner’s dreads against their religious beliefs was banned by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Two other facilities respected Landor’s beliefs before a guard at a third facility threw the copy of the ruling Landor had in the trash, according to his complaint. Under the warden’s orders, Landor says two guards held him down while a third shaved his head.

Religious freedom issue supported by the Trump administration

Landor’s case is a test of religious freedom laws in the United States. In addition to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, Landor’s lawyers point to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. That law was the basis for a ruling in favor of a group of Muslim men who claimed they were maliciously added to the FBI’s no-fly list because they would not become government informants. Landor’s team says this ruling supports their case as well. The Trump administration also supports Landor’s lawsuit; Trump has claimed to be a champion of religious freedom laws, usually in order to combat what he claims to be “anti-Christian bias.”

The Trump administration supporting a Rastafarian man’s religious freedom in a lawsuit against a heavily conservative state makes for an unusual case. But for Damon Landor, the administration’s backing and the Supreme Court’s decision mean he has one more chance to receive the justice he has sought for years.

A 22-year-old fan is indefinitely banned from all MLB stadiums after heckling Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte with inappropriate comments on Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. As NJ.com reported, Marte broke down in tears during Arizona’s matchup against the Chicago White Sox as the fan yelled derogatory comments about the second baseman’s late mother.

According to the Associated Press, a White Sox spokesperson said the fan was “very apologetic and remorseful after the fact, and admitted to being very inappropriate and stupid with his comments.” Another source, who spoke anonymously, confirmed to the AP that the fan is banned from all MLB stadiums.

Ketel Marte lost his mother in 2017

Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident back in 2017. After hitting a home run in the first inning of Tuesday’s game, Marte was later reminded about the tragedy abruptly. The 31-year-old was in the middle of batting during the seventh inning when he heard the harsh comments about his mother, according to the MLB. Though the heckler’s specific comments are not known, they caused Marte to cry.

As he walked back to the dugout after popping out, Marte broke down and stared at the heckler. Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo then rushed to embrace the distraught player.

What did Torey Lovullo say after Ketel Marte was heckled?

Lovullo, who asked for the heckler to be removed during the game, said he “had little bit of an interaction with the fan” as he yelled at Marte.

“He wasn’t getting it and was very pompous, and it didn’t sit right with me,” Lovullo said, per the AP. “It was just a gross comment you wouldn’t say about anybody, let alone someone who lost their mom.”

“We need better baseball fans. Baseball deserves better,” he added.

The manager said he had to be a father to Marte in that moment.

“I just reacted as a dad would when I went out to change pitchers,” Lovullo said, per the Arizona Republic. “I could see he was sobbing. It hurt. (I told him).”

“‘I love you and I’m with you, and we’re all together and you’re not alone,” he continued. “No matter what happens, no matter what was said or what you heard, that guy is an idiot. It shouldn’t have an impact on you.”

Tuesday was a big day for New Yorkers as they trekked to the polls to vote in the Democratic New York City primary for mayor.

The nail-biting race saw New York state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani take the lead and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo ultimately concede, and the election’s official outcome will come in July.

Until then, here’s more about Mamdani and his surprising connection to Hollywood.

His mother directed the 1991 film, ‘Mississippi Masala’

Mamdani, in addition to having a growing political influence and a modern approach to campaigning, is the son of Mira Nair, an Indian American filmmaker who boasts an almost five-decade-long career. She directed the 1991 film Mississippi Masala starring Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury.

As USA Today reported, Nair met Mamdani’s father, Mahmood Mamdani, while location scouting for the film. The pair went on to marry and eventually relocate to New York City.

Nair has also directed movies like 1988’s Salaam Bombay!, which earned Oscar and BAFTA nominations; 2001’s Monsoon Wedding, which earned a BAFTA nomination; 2006’s The Namesake; and 2016’s Queen of Katwe, starring David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o.

Zohran Mamdani convinced his mother to pass on directing a Harry Potter film

As Mamdani has been celebrating a big step in his bid for mayor, a 2018 clip of Nair with Vir Sanghvi at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2018 has resurfaced online. In it, she discusses how she was in talks to direct the fifth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but her son convinced her to pass on the project.

“I was deep into making The Namesake at that time. And The Namesake, this beautiful novel by Jhumpa Lahiri — really, I had suffered my first death in my family of my mother-in-law who was like a mother to me, and an unexpected death of medical malpractice — completely blew me away,” Nair says in the clip. “And I was deep in that melancholy, and that’s what inspired me to make The Namesake because Jhumpa has written in it of this terrible melancholy of losing a parent in a foreign country, which is exactly what I was experiencing. So I was deep in the throes of — like, almost a month away from shooting The Namesake. And they offered me Harry Potter. And I thought I had to take these meetings because my son had learned to read from Harry Potter. And I went to several meetings and I was in the throes of it, and then I was very troubled to be able to give up my own film.”

Nair turned to her son for advice on which project to pursue. A then 14-year-old Zohran encouraged her to follow her passion.

“He said to me, ‘Mama, many good directors can make Harry Potter. But only you can make The Namesake.’”

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