Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is reading a self-help book during his trial. The high-profile case has attracted significant media attention, with court proceedings being closely monitored by legal experts and entertainment industry observers worldwide.
The 55-year-old disgraced music mogul is in the midst of New York court hearings after he was charged with federal offences including sex trafficking and racketeering, and he has been seen carrying a self-help book titled The Magic of Believing into court. Federal racketeering charges carry severe penalties, with such cases often involving extensive investigations and complex legal proceedings.
He was spotted with the tome by journalist Emilie Hagen, who is covering Combs’ ongoing trial in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn federal courthouse has been the venue for numerous high-profile cases, including organized crime trials and major white-collar prosecutions throughout its history.
“He grabs the book and then he shows it to me then shows it to everyone else,” writing on Instagram on Thursday (12,06.25), Emilie said she briefly spoke with Combs as he entered the courtroom and took his place at the defense table. Court observers noted that defendants often turn to various coping mechanisms during stressful legal proceedings.
“It was The Magic Of Believing, a book about how to use the power of the mind to tap into reality, to help manifest different thoughts and actions. It’s like a self-help book that I would read,” she said. The book, originally published by Claude Bristol, has remained a popular choice among those seeking mental fortitude during challenging times and has been translated into multiple languages worldwide.
The reporter later posted a follow-up suggesting that Combs may be “trying to manifest his verdict” by reading the book, whose full title is The Magic Of Believing: The Classic Guide To Unlocking The Power of Your Mind. Legal psychologists note that defendants often seek psychological support through various means, including literature, meditation, and counseling during lengthy trials.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, was arrested in September 2024. He has been held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn ever since. The facility has been the subject of ongoing federal oversight and periodic inspections due to concerns about conditions and inmate safety.
His trial formally began in May 2025. The proceedings are expected to continue for several months, with prosecutors presenting evidence from a comprehensive investigation spanning multiple years and involving various law enforcement agencies.
Combs faces a number of serious federal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, stemming from a multi-agency investigation that reportedly involved surveillance, financial records and witness testimony. The investigation required coordination between federal, state, and local authorities across multiple jurisdictions.
Prosecutors allege Combs oversaw a criminal enterprise that exploited women and engaged in widespread criminal activity. The indictment details allegations of systematic abuse and criminal conduct that prosecutors claim occurred over an extended period.
He has denied all charges and has pleaded not guilty. His defense team consists of experienced federal criminal attorneys who have challenged the prosecution’s case on multiple fronts throughout the proceedings.
If convicted, Combs could face a sentence ranging from 15 years to life in prison. Federal sentencing guidelines for trafficking and racketeering offenses reflect the serious nature of these crimes and their impact on victims and communities.
“He said he’d always had a crush on me,” Combs’ trial on Thursday (12.06.25) heard an account of an orgy with an unnamed “famous rapper.” His ex-girlfriend and one of his accusers – who goes by the name ‘Jane’ to protect her anonymity – told jurors about an alleged January 2024 trip to Las Vegas in which she claims to have partied with an unnamed rapper, his girlfriend and a male escort. Describing the rapper’s behaviour at the alleged party, she said. Witness protection protocols are standard practice in federal cases involving potential safety concerns.
The 44-year-old woman has accused Combs of forcing her into unwanted sexual encounters with male escorts during their relationship. Her account represents part of the prosecution’s broader case against the entertainment executive, which includes testimony from multiple alleged victims.
Her testimony is central to the federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy case against the music mogul. Federal prosecutors typically build such cases through victim testimony supported by documentary evidence, financial records, and corroborating witness accounts.
The trial has drawn widespread media coverage and public attention, reflecting broader conversations about accountability in the entertainment industry. Legal experts continue to analyze the case’s potential implications for how the justice system addresses allegations of systematic abuse and criminal enterprise operations within high-profile entertainment businesses.
