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Sophie's avatar

Whatever the reason for the failure of the prosecution to make charges that would stick, men will interpret the message as “it’s ok to beat women senseless and drug them to be gang raped for your entertainment. Especially if you’re famous.” Women will hear loud and clear, yet again, that their experiences are unimportant, that they’re dispensable and not to be believed.

The abusers like Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, Geoffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and the rest of the scum can continue unscathed in their positions of power.

It stinks to high heaven.

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David Maren's avatar

You're misunderstanding the case. The charges had nothing to do with the assault — Cassie settled that years ago. The footage was dredged up in 2024, not for justice, but to boost interest in the case by demonizing Combs, so they could make more money from their coverage.

That clip sat buried for eight years — only to resurface after Diddy sued Diageo, the second-largest liquor company in the world, for racial discrimination. He was protected until he needed to be taken down for reputational control. I spoke about this in my latest essay.

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Brandy Agun's avatar

She didn’t just mention the assault. It is all the activity - beat, drug and gang rape for the viewing pleasure of men. There were not charges of gang rape or drugging either however it doesn’t mean those things did not happen. They simply weren’t charged likely because they didn’t have sufficient evidence. I’m surprised the coercion charges did not stick with all the jurors. It may be the make up of the jury itself. Who knows. Elie even said that he could see another jury convict on those counts.

But understand her point. This ability for men to treat women this way and get away with it time and again is really horrific and sends the message that women can be sexually assaulted, drugged, raped and get away with it. In Pete Hegseth’s case he wasn’t charged even though a rape kit was filed. How many unresolved rape kits are there in this country? And how many rapes even get reported? Why are women sexually abused at such large numbers in this country? Why as a society do we collectively put up with it? Our society is shaped by cases like this where men get away with a lot of grossly wrong behavior. I agree the RICO charges were not able to stick and that this was an overcharge. But I believe the women when they say they were coerced. And I also believe women were drugged and raped by the men involved. Women need to come forward. Rape kits need to be processed. My two cents.

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Sophie's avatar

I kinda think you’re reinforcing my point

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Nicola's avatar

I feel for Cassie, but the other one sold herself for yacht trips and hopes of getting a Chanel... She only for Van Cleefs and a Botega though.

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Nicola's avatar

Only got*

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Katie Powell's avatar

Thank you for this terrific analysis!

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Lucy Parsons's avatar

I guess this undermines your estimation of federal prosecutions. I swear just a few weeks ago you and Preet were telling me just how practically infallible they were.

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Mary Poindexter McLaughlin's avatar

Thanks, Elie, for such a clear explanation of the case and the results. Super-helpful.

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Treacher's avatar

Prosecutors, armed with intentionally vague laws like those against sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution, can now prosecute almost anyone found guilty in the court of public opinion.

Diddy never would have been prosecuted to begin with had that hotel video not been released. And now they've successfully nailed him on interstate prostitution charges because he hired some gigolos?

The expression "Give me the man and I will give you the case against him" used to be a mark against Soviet justice. It's becoming a mark against U.S. justice.

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Barbara Schwartz's avatar

NAILED IT!!!

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