Diddy¡¯s s*x trafficking trial opens with tension and damning allegations, music mogul says he is nervous

The walls are closing in on Sean ¡°Diddy¡± Combs as his high-stakes federal sex trafficking trial officially began in New York City on Monday. The hip-hop mogul, whose legacy now battles allegations of exploitation, violence, and racketeering, looked anything but composed as he appeared before Judge Arun Subramanian for jury selection.

Diddy¡¯s trafficking trial

Combs, 55, reportedly requested a bathroom break mid-session, telling the court he felt ¡°a little nervous.¡± Dressed in grey slacks and a sweater over a collared shirt¡ªan exception granted by the judge in place of prison attire¡ªCombs cut a stark figure. His greying hair and goatee, a consequence of jail restrictions on hair dye, only added to the visual shift from polished celebrity to accused criminal.

The courtroom, buzzing with the weight of the charges, saw three dozen potential jurors being questioned. Their task: decide if they can be impartial in a trial poised to feature violent and sexually explicit videos. Several admitted prior exposure to evidence¡ªincluding a video showing Combs allegedly assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway. One woman even described an image from that footage as ¡°damning.¡± She was later dismissed.

Another juror revealed she had ¡°liked¡± a comedian¡¯s video online referencing large amounts of baby oil allegedly found in Combs¡¯ home. She, however, remained in the jury pool.

What is it about?

The indictment against Combs paints a chilling narrative. Prosecutors allege he led a two-decade-long racketeering scheme that manipulated, coerced, and abused women. Among the more disturbing details are claims of ¡°Freak Offs¡±¡ªdrug-fuelled group sex scenarios involving male sex workers¡ªengineered and controlled by Combs.

The courtroom may be closed to cameras, but the tension and stakes are impossible to miss. If convicted, Combs faces the very real possibility of life behind bars. His legal team insists all acts were consensual and that the case is being exaggerated.

As jury selection continues, it is clear the trial will not just challenge Combs' reputation, it might dismantle it completely.