American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Courtney Burgess, lawyer Ariel Mitchell, and NewsNation’s parent company, Nextstar Media Group. The lawsuit, filed on January 22, 2025, in New York, accuses the defendants of fabricating false claims about him for financial gain, causing harm to his reputation and his ongoing legal proceedings.
Combs, who is facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, denies the allegations. The lawsuit centers on claims made by Burgess, who alleged Combs had videos showing him assaulting celebrities and minors, allegations Combs’ legal team says are completely false. They argue these fabrications were spread to media outlets, including NewsNation, causing public damage.
The suit demands at least $50 million in damages, including punitive damages, for the harm caused by the false statements. Combs’ lawyer, Erica Wolff, stated this lawsuit is a message against malicious falsehoods meant to harm his reputation.
Mitchell has vowed to countersue, calling the lawsuit frivolous. The case will now proceed, drawing attention to how the court handles these defamation claims.