NEW YORK — May 17, 2025 — Days after a violent hotel-room assault left singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura battered and bruised, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs sent her a text message that stunned jurors in a Manhattan courtroom Friday: “I’m so horny for you!!!”
The message, revealed during Ventura’s fourth consecutive day of testimony in Combs’ high-profile federal trial, was sent shortly after the May 6, 2016 incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. Ventura, now 38 and eight months pregnant, testified that Combs struck her, kicked her as she lay curled on the floor, and dragged her back into the room after she tried to escape following what she described as a violent “freak off” session.
“You are? What made you feel that way?” Ventura recalled replying to the text, visibly disturbed on the stand. Combs responded that his desire had begun “from Friday,” referring to the day of the attack. When Ventura told him that “Friday wasn’t a good vibe,” Combs wrote back, “F— Friday lol. I don’t even want to do that again.” She responded, “Lol true.”
According to CNN and court records, the unsettling exchange is part of a broader prosecution effort to show how Combs allegedly used violence, manipulation, and coercion to control Ventura during their decade-long relationship. The government is accusing Combs of engaging in a pattern of sex trafficking, racketeering, and psychological abuse.
Trial Highlights So Far
The trial, unfolding in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, stems from Combs’ September 2024 arrest. He has pleaded not guilty to five federal charges: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution.
Federal prosecutors allege that Combs operated a network of “freak offs” — multi-day sex sessions that often involved drugs, alcohol, and non-consensual acts — which he documented using security footage. Ventura told jurors that she was often pressured into participating and feared physical and emotional repercussions if she resisted.
On Thursday, Combs’ legal team began its cross-examination, seeking to portray the couple’s relationship as mutually passionate and at times volatile. Defense attorneys presented earlier text exchanges in which Ventura appeared to consent to the “freak offs,” including one from 2009 where she wrote, “I’m always ready to freak off.”
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
As reported by Reuters, public reaction to the case has been swift and intense, with many expressing horror at the graphic details emerging in court. Hashtags like #JusticeForCassie and #SurvivorVoices have trended across social media platforms.
Legal experts say the case could set a precedent in the prosecution of sex trafficking and coercion within high-profile relationships, especially when digital communications like text messages become key evidence.
“Even when a victim returns or communicates affection after abuse, it doesn’t negate the trauma or the coercion involved,” said attorney and domestic violence advocate Lisa Bloom, speaking to USA Today. “That’s what the prosecution is trying to convey here — it’s about power, not just behavior.”
What’s Next
The trial is expected to continue into early June, with additional witnesses scheduled to testify, including former Combs employees and security personnel. Prosecutors indicated they will introduce further digital evidence and financial records to support their claims of a long-running pattern of criminal conduct.
Combs, 55, remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. If convicted on all counts, he faces a potential sentence of life in federal prison.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at RAINN.org.
This report is based on verified updates from CNN, AP, and Reuters. All facts have been checked and confirmed by our editorial team.
