Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ defense team asks for Kid Cudi testimony about Porsche explosion to be struck from record

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team is seeking to have rapper Kid Cudi’s testimony regarding the destruction of his Porsche removed from the record in Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking trial.

The incident in question dates back to 2012, when Cudi’s car was destroyed by an “incendiary device,” according to police reports obtained by Rolling Stone. Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, confirmed the event in a 2023 interview with The New York Times.

On May 22, during the ninth day of the trial in New York City, Mescudi testified that a Molotov cocktail had been used to destroy his Porsche. He told the court he received a call from his dog-sitter the day of the explosion, alerting him that his car was on fire. While en route to his home, a friend sent him a photo showing the vehicle severely damaged.

“The top of my Porsche was cut open and that’s where they inserted the Molotov cocktail,” Mescudi said, describing the extent of the damage.

The incident occurred after Mescudi and singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura reportedly dated briefly in 2011. At the time, Ventura and Combs—who were in a long-term relationship until 2018—were going through difficulties. Ventura has previously testified that Combs reacted with jealousy and allegedly threatened to have Mescudi’s car blown up after learning of the relationship.

Mescudi also recounted a meeting with Combs at the Soho House in Los Angeles, where he brought up the incident, asking, “What are we going to do about my car?” He said Combs responded, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” According to Mescudi, they crossed paths again years later, and Combs allegedly apologized, saying he wanted to “apologize for everything.” Mescudi said he found peace with the matter.

Now, Combs’ attorneys are arguing that Mescudi’s testimony should be struck from the record. They contend that his statements amounted to speculation and unfairly prejudiced the jury by implying Combs’ guilt in one of the racketeering charges—arson—without direct evidence.

“A witness generally cannot testify that, in his opinion, a declarant was lying when making a statement,” Combs’ legal team argued, calling the testimony “mere speculation” with “minimal probative value.”

Sean Combs is currently facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution—all of which he has denied.