Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is pushing back against his federal indictment, arguing that one of the charges levied against him is rooted in racial bias.
His legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the charge under the Mann Act—a century-old law originally designed to combat human trafficking but historically used to target Black men.
Currently facing multiple felony counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking, Combs insists that his prosecution under the Mann Act is a “clear case of selective enforcement.” His lawyers argue that the statute, enacted in 1910 as the White-Slave Traffic Act, has been weaponized against prominent Black figures in history, including legendary boxer Jack Johnson and rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry.
Prosecutors have swiftly dismissed claims of racial bias, asserting that the case against Combs is based strictly on evidence, not discrimination. Meanwhile, the hip-hop mogul, who remains in custody, maintains his innocence and is gearing up for what promises to be a high-profile trial set for May 2025.
As the legal battle intensifies, Combs’ defense raises larger questions about the historical use of laws in America and their impact on Black men in positions of power.
