In a dramatic twist to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing federal sex trafficking trial, the hip-hop mogul’s legal team is pushing to strike testimony from rapper Kid Cudi that linked Combs to a fiery 2012 car bombing.
Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, testified on May 22, day nine of the trial, about the night his Porsche went up in flames outside his Los Angeles home. “The top of my Porsche was cut open,” he told the court. “That’s where they inserted the Molotov cocktail.”
According to Cudi, he first learned of the fire from his dog-sitter, who called to say the car was ablaze. A friend later texted him a photo of the burning vehicle. While police at the time confirmed that an incendiary device had caused the explosion, no one was ever charged.
Though Cudi publicly acknowledged the incident for the first time only last year, he stopped short of assigning blame—until now. In court, the Grammy-winning artist suggested a possible connection between the attack and his brief romantic involvement with singer Cassie Ventura, who was also in a relationship with Combs during that period.
Cassie, who dated Combs until 2018, had earlier testified that Combs once threatened to blow up Cudi’s car out of jealousy. Cudi testified that when he later confronted Combs at Soho House in Los Angeles, Combs responded vaguely: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Years later, the two met again. “I want to apologize for everything,” Combs reportedly told him. While Cudi said he had made peace with the incident, his testimony has reignited speculation about Combs’ potential involvement.
Combs’ attorneys are now demanding that the testimony be stricken from the record, arguing that Cudi’s statements are “speculative” and “highly prejudicial.” They also contend that his account implies dishonesty on Combs’ part—something a witness is not allowed to testify about directly.
Adding complexity to the case, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated that records from the 2012 incident are no longer available due to document retention limits. Cudi’s representatives have declined to comment on the testimony.
The federal trial against Combs includes charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and facilitating prostitution. The 54-year-old music mogul has denied all allegations. The trial, now in its third week, continues to unfold with high-profile witnesses and mounting tension.
