This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Despitemounting allegations of sexual and physical abuse, attorneys forSean "Diddy" Combsare pushing back against the abuse claims amid the hip-hop mogul'scriminal trial. Heading into its fifth week, the sweeping federal sex-crimes case resumed in Manhattan court on June 2 with Combs' legal team grilling the Grammy-winning rapper's former assistant, awoman going by the pseudonym "Mia,"during cross-examination. The anonymous witness painted a picture of long-term emotional and professional manipulation, which Combs' attorneys challenged with past social media posts she made about Combs and warm messages she sent to her former boss. "I was still brainwashed," Mia explained on the stand, telling jurors she was "constantly seeking" Combs' approval. Similar to other former employees of Combs, Mia has described a workplace dynamic in which Combs allegedly made repeated threats to maintain control. The ex-assistant, who worked for Combs from 2009-2017, also claims the Bad Boy Records founder sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. Combs, 55, wasarrested in September 2024and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Jurors saw texts from 2019, in which Mia wrote toCombs: "I had a nightmare. I was trapped in an elevator with R. Kelly and you came to rescue me."Kelly,a fellow hip-hop artist, is currentlyserving a 30-year prison sentenceafter being convicted of sex trafficking and racketeering, both charges Combs also faces, in 2022. "Why are you reaching out to Mr. Combs, telling him this?" defense attorney Brian Steel asked Mia, pressing her on why – if Combs allegedly terrorized her – she would write to him in such a way. "Puff used to be my protector," she replied, adding that Combs, sometimes referred to as "Puff Daddy," had recently lostlongtime partner Kim Porterand she wanted to let him know she was thinking of him. "Kim had just passed away and I felt horrible for him, she said. Porterdied in 2018from pneumonia. Noting that the text came months after Porter's death, Steel said: "It's five months later and you are having thoughts that he's your savior, and you're sending him all the love in the world?" She replied that she didn't think five months was that long of a time frame, explaining that Combs would grieve Porter, with whom he shares four children, for a lifetime. Combs' attorney Brian Steelquestioned Mia about a friendly text message exchange with Combs from 2020, years after her employment with him ended. At the time, Mia texted Combs that she had "so many funny" memories, as well as videos and notes on her phone from when she would write down things he said. Combs replied, "I love it. Glad you're well," adding, "I only remember the good times." Mia wrote back, "Love you too, and the only things to remember are the good times, and those are the only ones I have." Steel asked Mia why she did not respond to Combs by saying, "Well, I remember the bad times." Steel argued she should have told the rapper that he "should remember what you did to me," in light of her violent allegations against him. But Mia said on the stand, "No, I would never respond that way." Steel shot back that this is "because it's not true," but Mia maintained that she has "never lied in this courtroom, and I will never lie in this courtroom." She continued, "I was still brainwashed," noting that she was "constantly seeking" Combs' approval. In a May 14, 2020, text, Mia told Combs: "Puff, my heart is broken about Dre," seemingly about the late Uptown Records founderAndre Harrell, letting Combs know she was thinking of him and that she wanted him to "continue on his message." In a message from August 2020, Mia texted Combs, "Thinking of you withChadwick Boseman," following the actor's death. Mia said on the stand that Combs was "auditioning for the role" of James Brown in the "Get On Up" biopic that Boseman ended up playing, and she said she texted Combs saying that she had his audition tape and would send it to him. In other texts to Combs, Mia went on to describe some of their "magical, hilarious" and "hysterical" memories together: One was of a night in Paris whenMick Jaggerapparently flirted with her; another was of a night whenJennifer Lopezwouldn't stay out with them; yet another was of a high-stakes poker game between Combs andLeonardo DiCaprio. In the text message she wrote that Combs said, while cursing: "That 'Titanic' (guy) doesn't know (anything). He won $10,000, I won $650,000." As former assistant Mia's testimony continued June 2, she alleged that in 2012 she witnessed a discussion between Combs and Ventura Fine escalate at the premiere of theBrad Pittfilm "Killing Them Softly," during the Cannes Film Festival in France. She claimed she saw Combs grit his teeth while digging his nails into Ventura Fine's arm, and eventually insist Ventura Fine leave, which she did. As Combs' trial stretches into another week, several new names will take the stand. Among the expected witnesses are two men named Enrique Santos, a radio personality, and Frank Piazza, whose connection to Combs remains unclear. Two employees of the InterContinental Hotel, where video captured the music mogul assaulting Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine are also expected to take the stand. Hotel security supervisor Eddie Garcia will testify under immunity and hotel custodian Sylvia Okun is also expected to speak out. During cross-examination on May 30, Combs' attorneyBrian Steelshowed Mia a number of old social media posts. One was a tribute for Combs' 45th birthday, where she wrote, "Happy birthday, Puff Daddy. Thank you for being the good kind of crazy," adding that she loved him with all her heart. Steel remarked that this was five years after Combs first allegedly sexually assaulted her. "When the highs were high and the goods were good, you tried so hard to stay in that," Mia said. Steel pressed her multiple times, saying, "Haven't you said you've been sexually assaulted so many times that you can't even remember?" Mia responded: "I don't remember phrasing it that way." Diddy on trial newsletter:Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. In more emotional testimony on May 30, Mia said she hired an employment lawyer to try to get a settlement from Combs after her work with the music mogul ended, requesting a payment of $10 million; ultimately, she only received $400,000, half of which was taken by lawyers. The woman said she never disclosed her alleged sexual assaults in those transactions, even though she mentioned some of Combs' violence. She told the court that she would have taken her assault allegations aimed at Combs to her grave. While taking the stand on May 30, Mia said Combs emotionally abused her to the point that she now suffers from "complex severe PTSD." Due to her post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, Mia said she can't get or keep a job because she is triggered by the most minor things, like somebody asking where she is. "I would have to leave (work) because I would be triggered by very normal situations with an overwhelming fear of being in trouble," the witness told the court. She added that "all of those feelings of getting in trouble come flooding back." 50 Centis looking to givePresident Donald Trumphis two cents aboutCombs. In anInstagram post on May 30, the "In da Club" rapper said he'll reach out to Trump after the president said he would "look at the facts" in Combs' case, suggesting a pardon could be on the table. 50 Cent shared a clip of the president's comments in his post and wrote that Combs "said some really bad things about Trump," adding that he will "reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy." In a follow-up post, 50 Centsuggested Combs' past commentsabout Trump could prevent a potential pardon. "Donald doesn't take well to disrespect, and doesn't forget who chooses to go against him," he wrote. He alsoshared a screenshotof an article suggesting he was trying to "nuke" Combs' chances of pardon, clarifying, "I didn't say I would nuke anything, I simply said I will make sure Trump is aware." No, despite recently handing down a flurry of pardons, including one for reality starsTodd and Julie Chrisley,Trumpdid not include Combs on that list. But thatdoesn't mean he can't. According to Michigan State law professor Brian Kalt, Trump would be within his presidential rights to extend a preemptive pardon to Combs. "These are federal charges so that's the main limit,"Kalt tells USA TODAY. "The matter has (to) be federal, it has to be criminal vs. civil, and related to something that's already been done. But the person doesn't have to even be charged yet or convicted. TheSupreme Courthas said preemptive pardons are OK." When asked about a possible pardon during anOval Office press conferenceon May 30, Trump said he hadn't been approached about the legal matter but added, "I know people are thinking about it." Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He wasarrested in September 2024and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all five counts against him. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed attargeting multi-person criminal organizations,prosecutors allegethat Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in"freak offs"— sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom.Sign up for our newsletterfor more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault,RAINNoffers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy trial live updates: Brad Pitt, 50 Cent, other celebs mentioned
