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50 Cent, Aubrey O'Day, more social media reactions to Diddy verdict: 'A nasty precedent'

The verdict in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial is here, and social media is weighing in.

On July 2, Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but the jury acquitted him on the top charge of racketeering and both sex trafficking counts — involving former girlfriends Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine and the anonymous "Jane." 

During testimony, jurors heard from more than 30 witnesses, including Ventura Fine, who accused him of abusing her throughout their relationship. Multiple witnesses said they witnessed Combs assault Ventura Fine, and some spoke about his efforts to cover up evidence of his assault of Ventura Fine at a hotel in 2016.

Jurors also heard from "Mia," a woman using a pseudonym who alleged Combs sexually assaulted her, and "Jane," an ex-girlfriend of Combs who testified under a pseudonym and alleged Combs pressured her into participating in his drug-fueled sex parties known as "freak offs." Jane also alleged that Combs choked, punched, kicked and dragged her by the hair.

Much of the reaction online included disagreement over the jury's conclusion.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Diddy trial live updates: Will Combs have to forfeit mansions, jets? What is the Mann Act?

50 Cent, Aubrey O'Day react to Diddy verdict

One anticipated reaction came from 50 Cent, a vocal rival of Combs.

"Diddy beat the (RICO charge), that boy a bad man !" he captioned an artificial intelligence-generated photo of himself on Instagram. He also mocked the mogul and commented on his sexuality, comparing him to mobster John Gotti.

Aubrey O'Day, a former member of Combs' girl group Danity Kane, shared sadness for Cassie amid the verdict, writing on her Instagram stories that the ruling made her "physically ill."

In a lengthy follow-up post featured in her stories, the pop singer said "the cultural weight of this decision is immeasurable."

"It is heartbreaking to witness how many lives have been impacted by their experiences with Sean Combs — only for those stories to fall short in the eyes of a jury," O'Day wrote. "I can only hope these jurors never have to watch someone they love endure what so many survivors have described."

What charges was Diddy found guilty of? The jury's verdict, possible prison time explained

O'Day, who previously has been vocal in her criticism of Combs, added that the rapper's "pattern of behavior" has been "legitimized" by the legal system due to the partial acquittal.

"This wasn't Bonnie and Clyde — it was control, coercion and abuse," O'Day wrote, seemingly referring to Combs and Ventura Fine's relationship. "We have to stop rewriting history to excuse the behavior and start normalizing accountability — no matter how powerful the person. That narrative is not just dishonest. It's dangerous."

50 Cent says he'll reach out to Trump in effort to prevent a Diddy pardon

50 Cent sits courtside before the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden 1 Center, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, California.
50 Cent sits courtside before the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden 1 Center, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, California. Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES Via Reuters Connect

 

Rosie O'Donnell says Diddy verdict makes her 'angry'

Outspoken comedian and TV host Rosie O'Donnell slammed the verdict in Combs' case as a "joke."

"I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion," O'Donnell wrote on Instagram. "Wow — they just think women stay because what? money — fame — 'they love the abuse.' ... This decision got me angry."

Actress Rosanna Arquette, who previously accused disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, chimed in with her own disappointment: "Broken hearted for the brave survivors on top of more broken heart."

 

Diddy convicted of 2 of 5 charges, social media slams verdict: 'Nobody cares about women'

One user expressed confusion at how the group convicted Combs of two transportation charges to engage in prostitution, but found him not guilty of the related sex trafficking charges. Others considered the rap mogul's verdict a statement on what the wealthy and powerful can get away with.

"the Diddy verdict is going to set a nasty precedent and trend for what people (especially those with wealth & power) believe they can get away with, when it comes to sex, domestic violence, & abuse crimes," another X user said. "and that's honestly, the most terrifying part of this entire case."

Cassie's lawyer reacts to Diddy verdict: 'She displayed unquestionable strength'

The outcome came at the end of a roughly two-month trial, during which prosecutors laid out their case that Combs led a criminal enterprise. The embattled music mogul pleaded not guilty to the charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

"So so disappointing on the Diddy charges," wrote an X user. "The evidence was there. And that’s why Cassie went civil because why should she have to go through all that for not guilty? Juries need to be taught about domestic and sexual abuse before they can hand out verdicts; I’ve been saying!"

Another person wrote on X: "The worst people you know gonna celebrate the Diddy verdict like it's some kind of a win."

Diddy's star-studded trial: The celebrities mentioned in court

A man reacts while looking at a phone, outside the U.S. federal court, after the jury reached verdicts in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial at U.S. federal court in Manhattan, New York City, July 2, 2025.
A man reacts while looking at a phone, outside the U.S. federal court, after the jury reached verdicts in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial at U.S. federal court in Manhattan, New York City, July 2, 2025. Jeenah Moon, REUTERS

 

'Jury made up of 8 men and 3 women, explains it all'

People on social media also expressed dismay at the message the verdict sends to sex-crime victims.

"The verdict for Diddy is a message to all women that they are not believed. Sorry to the women out there," an X user wrote. "The victims especially, they deserved better."

"Say what you want but Brian Steele is one of the best defense attorneys alive today. I cannot believe Diddy got away with it," another person said on X. "But I kinda always knew he would. Nobody cares about women. And nobody CERTAINLY cares about male rape victims. The memes, the jokes, etc. Nobody cared."

"Jury made up of 8 men and 3 women, explains it all," wrote another person on X. "The victims will never get justice and will never be believed in the eyes of the law."

What charges was Diddy found guilty of? The jury's verdict, possible prison time explained

Combs, once one of the most powerful figures in music, first faced a bombshell lawsuit from Ventura Fine accusing him of sex trafficking, rape and physical abuse in November 2023. The suit was quickly settled but opened the floodgates to numerous other allegations against Combs, who was ultimately arrested following a sex trafficking investigation in September.

Combs has been incarcerated at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested on Sept. 16, 2024. Hours after the rapper's verdict was delivered, U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian denied bail for Combs, issuing an order to keep him incarcerated at the federal New York facility until his sentencing.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Contributing: Anna Kaufman and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY

Author: Brendan Morrow Taijuan Moorman USA TODAY

Source: USA Today

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