Brian Buckmeyer

It's one thing to read a lawsuit like Cassie's that alleges abuse. It's another to see video footage that appears to corroborate those allegations. I'd argue the surveillance video was actually far more damning to Diddy than Cassie's lawsuit was, or any lawsuit for that matter. The video tarnished Diddy's image, an image he had kept such a tight hold on for decades.

It's one thing to read a lawsuit like Cassie's that alleges abuse. It's another to see video footage that appears to corroborate those allegations. I'd argue the surveillance video was actually far more damning to Diddy than Cassie's lawsuit was, or any lawsuit for that matter. The video tarnished Diddy's image, an image he had kept such a tight hold on for decades.

When I saw Diddy's video on Instagram, I had a lot of questions. As an attorney, I generally advise my clients to let their lawyer do the talking for them. So Diddy putting out this video, it made me wonder, had this been part of an improved strategy or was it something more spontaneous? Here's CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister.

When I saw Diddy's video on Instagram, I had a lot of questions. As an attorney, I generally advise my clients to let their lawyer do the talking for them. So Diddy putting out this video, it made me wonder, had this been part of an improved strategy or was it something more spontaneous? Here's CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister.

So according to Wagmeister, Diddy couldn't deliver a full apology for legal reasons, which leaves him with a few options. stay silent, deliver what some considered a weak apology, or break the terms of the settlement agreement and risk the consequences.

So according to Wagmeister, Diddy couldn't deliver a full apology for legal reasons, which leaves him with a few options. stay silent, deliver what some considered a weak apology, or break the terms of the settlement agreement and risk the consequences.

Author Justin Tinsley writes about Black culture on ESPN's Anscape. And by that video, he's referring to the surveillance footage of Diddy attacking Cassie, the one that CNN published.

Author Justin Tinsley writes about Black culture on ESPN's Anscape. And by that video, he's referring to the surveillance footage of Diddy attacking Cassie, the one that CNN published.

After the fallout from the CNN story and his Instagram apology, Diddy appeared to shrink away from public life. In May, he was reportedly MIA from his eldest daughter's high school graduation. In June, Revolt, the media company Diddy had started in 2013, announced he'd sold his majority stake and was no longer involved with the company. Then, he deleted all of his Instagram posts.

After the fallout from the CNN story and his Instagram apology, Diddy appeared to shrink away from public life. In May, he was reportedly MIA from his eldest daughter's high school graduation. In June, Revolt, the media company Diddy had started in 2013, announced he'd sold his majority stake and was no longer involved with the company. Then, he deleted all of his Instagram posts.

For someone who had spent years posting videos of himself living his best life on social media, Diddy's digital silence was noticeable. Even though Diddy was laying low, he was still very much on other people's radars, including the media's. In May of 2024, Rolling Stone published an investigation into Diddy and his alleged history of violence.

For someone who had spent years posting videos of himself living his best life on social media, Diddy's digital silence was noticeable. Even though Diddy was laying low, he was still very much on other people's radars, including the media's. In May of 2024, Rolling Stone published an investigation into Diddy and his alleged history of violence.

The story included allegations of physical abuse going back to the late 1980s, when Diddy was a college student at Howard. This was years before he started Bad Boy Records. Soon, Diddy faced crushing blowback. He was like a distressed asset. Organizations and brands that once celebrated him and wanted to be associated with him were now publicly distancing themselves.

The story included allegations of physical abuse going back to the late 1980s, when Diddy was a college student at Howard. This was years before he started Bad Boy Records. Soon, Diddy faced crushing blowback. He was like a distressed asset. Organizations and brands that once celebrated him and wanted to be associated with him were now publicly distancing themselves.

This reporting is from local TV outlet DC News Now. Nearly two weeks later, Howard University announced it was revoking his honorary degree, returning his million-dollar donation, and canceling a scholarship that had been set up in his name. Then, the mayor of New York asked Diddy to return his key to the city.

This reporting is from local TV outlet DC News Now. Nearly two weeks later, Howard University announced it was revoking his honorary degree, returning his million-dollar donation, and canceling a scholarship that had been set up in his name. Then, the mayor of New York asked Diddy to return his key to the city.

Even the Miami Beach Commission joined the pilot by canceling its annual Sean Diddy Combs Day, as reported by NBC6 South Florida.

Even the Miami Beach Commission joined the pilot by canceling its annual Sean Diddy Combs Day, as reported by NBC6 South Florida.

This all happened in less than a month. And those forces that were turning against Diddy? Well, that pileup was growing bigger and more powerful, because now the feds were getting closer to an arrest. That's after the break.

This all happened in less than a month. And those forces that were turning against Diddy? Well, that pileup was growing bigger and more powerful, because now the feds were getting closer to an arrest. That's after the break.