SEAN “Diddy” Combs has gotten a laugh from the judge in his federal sex trafficking trial after saying he was doing an “excellent job.”
The disgraced music mogul gave a bold answer flattering Judge Arun Subramanian before his defense rested its case without calling a single witness to the stand.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
On Tuesday, the prosecution rested its case after calling 34 witnesses over 29 days of testimony at the federal courthouse in Manhattan.
In a shocking move, the defense then rested its case in just 23 minutes — but not before Combs made a brazen comment to the judge.
When Submaranian asked how Combs was following the prosecution resting, Combs attempted to charm the judge with his answer.
“I’m doing great, your honor,” Combs said.
“I’ve been wanting to tell you thank you, you’re doing an excellent job.”
The compliment sparked a surprising laugh from Subramanian, who then confirmed that Combs wouldn’t take the stand.
Combs declined to take the stand in the trial and said it was “solely my decision” not to testify.
While he’s not testifying, the rapper has been active throughout his trial, often passing notes to his lawyers and listening intently during testimonies.
Subramanian even called him out at one point for nodding to jurors during cross-examination and told him he would be removed from the courtroom if he gestured again.
Combs’ lawyers opted to only introduce exhibits to the jury for their presentation on Tuesday.
Attorneys read out text messages between Combs and Cassie Ventura, his ex-girlfriend of 10 years and the star witness in the case, as they discussed freak-offs.
Freak-offs are drug-fueled sex marathons with male escorts that Ventura and his other ex-girlfriend, Jane, claim Combs forced them to partake in while inebriated.
A lot of the trial has centered around freak-offs, which were also called “hotel nights.”
Diddy's charges explained by a lawyer
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani explained the set of charges Diddy is facing to The U.S. Sun:
“Diddy is facing three charges, or three sets of charges.
“The first is racketeering, which you typically see with organized crime enterprises – so the mob, cartels, street gangs -but we’re seeing it a lot more in sex trafficking cases.
“And you don’t need an organization like the mob, as long as it’s an enterprise, which is something that consists of two or more people, and they engage in two or more RICO predicate acts, that’s enough for racketeering.
“Racketeering is a powerful charge because it allows the government to bring in all sorts of evidence of criminal activity, as well as all sorts of people, into that racketeering conspiracy.
“And anyone who’s a co-conspirator, they’re on the hook for any criminal acts committed in furtherance of the conspiracy.
“The most serious charge, though, is sex trafficking.
“What separates sex trafficking from normal sex? Adults, of course, can consent to any type of sex, no matter how freaky it is. But sex trafficking has one of three elements: force, fraud, or coercion.
“And the government is saying that Diddy used force to force these men and women to participate in these freak-offs, and he coerced them by drugging them.
“The least serious charge is the prostitution, sometimes called the Man Act, and that’s engaging in prostitution using some sort of interstate commerce across state lines. That obviously is unlawful.
“Typically, you don’t see federal cases for prostitution only, which is why it’s the least serious of the crimes.”
In the past week, jurors have been shown over 40 minutes of graphic footage that Combs made of the events.
Combs argues that the depraved acts were consensual.
DEFENSE’S CASE
Defense attorneys read out a message from Combs saying, “You think you can [Freak-Off] without getting high? Lol.”
Ventura texted back, “Yeah I’ll just have to be at my level and what is good for me.”
Getty Images - GettyCassie Ventura and Combs attending the Met Gala in New York City in May 2018[/caption] ReutersCombs and his defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo in a courtroom sketch in New York City from June 24, 2025[/caption]The prosecution didn’t offer a rebuttal for the defense’s swift turn.
The defense resting so quickly might mean that Combs’ attorneys feel confident that their cross-examination established reasonable doubt during the prosecution’s case.
Combs’ lawyers also made a case for the judge to toss out the charges, which Subramanian said he’d decide at a later date.
On Wednesday morning, prosecutors dropped arson and kidnapping claims from their racketeering charge.
Closing arguments in the massive trial are expected to begin on Thursday, meaning jury deliberations could start as soon as Friday.
Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison if he’s found guilty.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
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