Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs advances $100M defamation lawsuit

A New York federal judge has ruled that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs can proceed with his $100 million defamation lawsuit against attorney Ariel Mitchell and her client, Courtney Burgess. U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan denied Mitchell’s motion to dismiss the case, rejecting her argument that the allegations made against Combs were merely opinion or rhetorical hyperbole.

Combs filed the lawsuit in January 2025, initially seeking $50 million before amending the complaint to $100 million. The legal action targets Mitchell and Burgess for making claims regarding sexual assault and the existence of videos depicting misconduct. Combs also named Nexstar Media in the suit, accusing the company of promoting baseless speculation.

In his ruling, Judge Cronan stated that the accusations—which include claims of secret recordings and the use of drug-laced baby oil—carry ‘precise meanings that are readily understood’ and are capable of being verified as fact. While Mitchell has characterized the lawsuit as a ploy to silence victims, the court has cleared the way for the case to move forward. A hearing to determine the next steps is scheduled for September 17.