Howard University has officially revoked Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ honorary degree, initially awarded in 2014. This decision comes in light of disturbing footage from 2016 that shows the rapper and music mogul violently attacking his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hotel hallway.
The university’s board of trustees unanimously voted to rescind Combs’ degree, citing the video as a stark contradiction to Howard’s core values.
“Mr. Combs’ behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor,” the board’s statement read. They also emphasized the school’s strong stance against all forms of interpersonal violence.
The troubling video, released last month, depicts Combs chasing Ventura out of a hotel room while wearing only a towel. He grabs her by the neck, throws her to the floor, kicks, shoves, and drags her by her sweatshirt. The footage also shows Combs returning to kick her again and hurling an object at her.
In addition to revoking the honorary degree, Howard University will also terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Combs. This includes disbanding the scholarship established in his name, returning his $1 million contribution, and canceling a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation. The university confirmed that no payments had been made towards the 2023 pledge, so there were no funds to return. Notably, Diddy attended Howard from 1987 to 1989.
Following the video’s release, Combs issued an apology on Instagram, admitting to his unacceptable behavior. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” he said. “I was messed up — I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable.”
Combs and Ventura were romantically involved for over a decade. Last November, she accused him of repeatedly raping and physically abusing her throughout their tumultuous relationship. The lawsuit, which also implicated Combs’ label, Bad Boy Records, and Sony Music, claimed Ventura was “trapped by Mr. Combs in a cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking.”
Although the case was settled shortly after it was filed, Combs has faced multiple new lawsuits this year, accusing him of rape, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. He has denied all allegations. In March, his homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided by Homeland Security.
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