50 Cent has spoken out after a jury reached a verdict on rapper P Diddy this afternoon (July 2).
The rapper is known to have a long-standing feud with Diddy and spared no punches with his words. Diddy was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution following an eight-week trial – but has been cleared of the most serious charges he faced.
The jury considered charges that Diddy, real name Sean Combs, had trafficked his victims for sex, ran a racketeering conspiracy and transported victims across state lines to engage in prostitution. Multiple witnesses were called during the trial to present accounts of how he allegedly used violence, fear and drugs against women.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Following the verdict, 50 Cent wrote in a social media post: “Diddy beat the Feds that boy a bad man ! beat the Rico, he the Gay John Gotti @50centaction.”
John Gotti ordered and helped to orchestrate the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano and took over the family soon after. He died in 2002 at the age of 61 from throat cancer.
The feud between Diddy and 50 Cent dates back to 2002. In 2001, 50 Cent began ghost-writing and claimed to have written Diddy’s verse on G. Dep’s track ‘Let’s Get It’.
In May 2002, 50 Cent mentioned Diddy in his song ‘U Not Like Me’ for the first time. In the lyrics, he rapped: “Hoes be like ’50, you so witty / On the d**k like they heard I ghostwrite for P. Diddy,” marking their first public reference to each other.
Later in 2002, they collaborated on a song where 50 Cent took a jab at Diddy. However, in 2018, Diddy denied having any issues with 50 Cent, stating: “I don’t have no beef with Fif. He loves me. Y’all can’t see that he loves me? You really think that’s hate? You know he loves me.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Despite these comments, their beef has persisted over the years, and since the allegations against Diddy surfaced, 50 Cent has been particularly outspoken. In December 2023, 50 Cent revealed he was developing a documentary focusing on the accusations levelled against Diddy, with the proceeds purportedly earmarked for sexual assault victims.
He later announced that his documentary series about Diddy had been snapped up by Netflix. Throughout the trial, 50 Cent also shared a series of videos featuring Diddy’s comments about President Trump, seemingly in an attempt to prevent Diddy from receiving a pardon if found guilty of the alleged offences, reports the Mirror.
The 12-person jury in a Manhattan federal courtroom found the 55-year-old billionaire guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but cleared him of two counts of sex trafficking and one count racketeering conspiracy in a mixed verdict. He now faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Judge Arun Subramanian told the jurors that press are likely to speak to them about the case and told them: “There is an important reason to respect the privacy of your deliberations. That being said, the choice of whether to speak to others about the case and your personal views is up to you.”
He also thanked them for their “tremendous sacrifice” and told the jury: “I want you to know that it is inspiring to all of us. You listened, you worked together, you were here every day, rain or shine. You did so with no reward, other than the reward that comes from answering the call of public service. That should give all of us hope.”
Diddy’s lawyers have now argued for his release on bond ahead of sentencing. His lawyer said that it should be allowed given that he is no longer charged with sex trafficking or racketeering and said that a plane has already been chartered.
“This is his first conviction, and it is a prostitution offence. He should be released. His family is here and could sign a bond. He should be released today, to go back and live at Two Star Island,” he said.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
