A wave of misinformation, ranging from doctored images to AI-generated songs, is threatening to distort public understanding of the ongoing sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York.
Combs, a towering figure in the music industry, is facing multiple charges including racketeering and sex trafficking. On Tuesday, his former partner Casandra “Cassie” Ventura testified, accusing him of subjecting her to degrading group sex sessions. However, as damning details emerged in court, social media platforms became awash with conspiracy theories and fake content — raising concerns over their potential to influence public opinion and even the outcome of the trial.
“Repeated exposure to conspiracy theories can make them begin to feel true,” explained Dan Evon, lead writer for RumorGuard, a website that debunks viral falsehoods. “This flood of disinformation about the Combs trial could sway or harden public opinion.”
Among the misleading content was a song titled I Lost Myself at a Diddy Party, falsely attributed to pop star Justin Bieber. The track, which alludes to Bieber being traumatised after attending a party hosted by Combs, amassed millions of views online. Disinformation watchdog NewsGuard said the audio was almost certainly created using artificial intelligence.
Another viral hoax included a digitally altered photo showing Combs alongside convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former US President Donald Trump, seated with several young women. Even more extreme was a baseless claim that the FBI had uncovered a video of Hillary Clinton murdering a child during one of Combs’s so-called “freak-off” parties — a claim that originated from a widely circulated video using an AI-generated voice.
Experts warn that these conspiracy theories expose the vulnerability of today’s digital information ecosystem, where virality is often mistaken for truth. The chaotic spread of such false narratives has turned many social media users into self-styled investigators, scouring past footage and images for perceived clues about Combs and his inner circle.
“Conspiracy theories are as American as baseball and apple pie,” said A.D. Carson, associate professor of hip-hop at the University of Virginia. But when celebrities like Combs become the centre of high-profile legal proceedings, particularly cases involving power, sex, and politics, they can quickly become the subject of a “perfect storm” of online misinformation, he explained.
Mistrust in traditional media and institutions has further encouraged online sleuths who operate under the belief that “truth is being hidden.” According to Carson, many conspiracy narratives arise as reactions to what people already view as misinformation in mainstream reporting.
While the charges against Combs are serious and supported by evidence, conspiracy theorists have taken them further — suggesting his case forms part of a broader, sinister agenda involving global sex trafficking networks. “The high-profile nature of the case gives conspiracy theories a foothold in larger, baseless ideas about secret cabals,” Evon said.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including leading a sex crime ring that hosted drug-fuelled parties allegedly involving coercion, violence, and threats. But experts warn that the volume of misinformation risks overshadowing the core allegations and could even sway jurors.
“It’s unrealistic to expect people not to be affected by these conspiracy theories,” said Alphonse Provinziano, a celebrity lawyer based in Beverly Hills. “The key issue is whether the jury can follow the court’s instructions and remain impartial.”