Rewritten: Obama and Harris linked with Diddy for Democratic activism.
For decades, Combs has been closely associated with prominent Democrats.
Federal authorities have charged rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and other crimes in a disturbing indictment unsealed Tuesday. High-profile Democrats have previously collaborated with him.
Throughout their careers, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, New York Mayor Eric Adams, and former President Barack Obama have all been associated with the "Hello Good Morning" artist for Democratic causes. Combs has been a prominent celebrity supporter of the Democratic Party.
In 2020, Combs hosted a political town hall about COVID-19 and was later thanked by Harris, who is now the Democratic frontrunner in the 2024 race.
Harris wrote on X that it is crucial to highlight how coronavirus is exacerbating racial inequality and health disparities, given the significant impact on our communities.
At the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Combs interviewed young delegates and Democrat lawmakers, including Obama and Clinton, for MTV, helping to engage young voters for the Democrats.
In 2008, just before the election, Combs attempted to win over Black voters for Obama's campaign at a rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In 2020, Combs supported Biden for president and established the "Political Black Party," stating in a podcast interview with Charlamagne tha God that "White men like Trump should be expelled."
In September 2023, Combs was given the key to New York City, but he had to return it later at Mayor Adams' request after a 2016 video surfaced, alleging that Combs assaulted his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie. Adams informed Combs of the key's revocation in a letter, and it was returned to the city on June 10.
In August 2020, Combs was part of a group of dozens of Black individuals who wrote to Biden urging him to choose a Black vice presidential candidate, citing reports that then-Sen. Harris was too "ambitious" to be his pick, according to The Hill.
In the past, photos have shown Combs attending events with former President Donald Trump, mainly at galas and other celebrity functions that were not political in nature.
On Tuesday, Combs appeared in a Manhattan courtroom for his arraignment after being arrested by federal agents on Monday based on a sealed indictment, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
Earlier Tuesday, an indictment was unsealed, accusing the rapper of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion, and transporting individuals for prostitution.
According to an unsealed indictment obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital, Combs ran a criminal enterprise through his businesses, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises and Combs Global, among others. He used "violence, use of firearms, threats of violence, coercion, and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" to fulfill his sexual desires.
Combs used "physical, emotional, and verbal abuse" to force victims into participating in "freak offs," and would provide drugs to sex workers and female victims to facilitate sexual encounters, according to court documents.
The "freak offs" organized by Combs were elaborate and involved sex performances, which he arranged, directed, and often masturbated during while electronically recording them, authorities stated. After these performances, Combs would provide his victims with IV fluids to help them recover from physical exertion and drug use, according to the indictment.
In March, authorities confiscated "freak off supplies" and three AR-15s with altered serial numbers from Combs' home, according to court documents. The feds also seized "thousands of bottles of personal lubricant and baby oil that Combs' staff allegedly used to prepare hotel rooms for the freak offs," Williams announced at a press conference.
No responses were received from Clinton, Obama, Adams, and Harris when Planet Chronicle Digital requested comments.
A White House spokesperson directed Planet Chronicle Digital to press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre's comments during Tuesday's press briefing, stating that the situation is ongoing and a legal matter, and that the Department of Justice should be consulted for further information. The spokesperson also emphasized that they would not comment on ongoing legal matters from their current position.
Planet Chronicle Digital's Lauryn Overhultz and Andrew Murray contributed to this report.
politics
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