The raid on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ homes in Florida and Los Angeles on Monday marks the newest development in the beleaguered rap mogul’s legal woes.
The raids are tied to sex-trafficking allegations leveled by different plaintiffs in recent months, the Associated Press reported, citing law enforcement sources.
Combs, formerly also known as Puff Daddy, is the founder of Bad Boy Records and a three-time Grammy winner. In recent months, he has faced several legal battles, with lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and trafficking.
Following the raids on Monday, videos appeared on TikTok claiming that Combs had been arrested.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
The Claim
A TikTok posted on March 25, 2024, by user ohhwowtv viewed 58,700 times, included the headline “Breaking News FBI Arrests Puff Daddy.”
Another Tikok by user enigmamantv, posted on March 25, 2024, viewed 125,000, times also included the headline “Diddy arrested during FBI RAID.”
Another Tiktok by user tasker8033, also posted March 25, 2024, viewed 30,700 times, included the headline “P Diddy Arrested in NY By Several Federal Agencies including Homeland Security.”
The Facts
Since allegations against Combs have become widely discussed, TikTok has hosted multiple videos alleging Sean Combs’ arrest, with no evidence offered in support.
One video posted on TikTok by user d.news25 viewed 666,900 times, posted on March 5, 2024, which is still online, states “Diddy Arrested After Attempting To Flee The Country In Private Jet.”
These newest TikToks, posted after investigators raided the rap mogul’s homes, are no different. None of them contain any references or sources that show Combs has been arrested. They are made up of recycled footage from other reporters about the raid on Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami.
Combs’ arrest has not been confirmed by authorities.
Asked whether Combs had been arrested, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) provided Newsweek a statement that confirmed Monday’s operations.
“Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners,” HSI said.
“We will provide further information as it becomes available.”
Newsweek has contacted media representatives for Combs via email for comment.
The TikToks about Combs have been published without any evidence and seemingly no attempt to gather evidence to support their claims.
Baseless headlines surrounding popular news stories have been a feature of multiple TikTok videos Newsweek has discovered recently, with no content, sourcing, or references to support any of their claims.
Among them have been claims that Clarence Thomas had “stormed out” of a Supreme Court Justice conference, that Fani Willis had been disqualified from the election interference prosecution against former President Donald Trump in Georgia, and that Michelle Obama is running for president.
The Ruling
Unverified.
None of these claims about Sean Combs’ arrest have been supported by evidence. Investigators have not said whether Combs has been arrested following raids on the rapper’s properties on Monday. None of the videos posted on TikTok have attempted to answer the question meaningfully. Investigators have said that they will “provide further information as it becomes available.”
FACT CHECK BY Newsweek’s Fact Check team
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.