Sean “Diddy” Combs has returned the Key to New York City following a request from Mayor Eric Adams. The request came after a video surfaced showing Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, in 2016. The footage, which was obtained by CNN, depicts Combs attacking Cassie in a hotel hallway, an incident she had detailed in a federal lawsuit filed in November.
The video, dated March 2016, shows Combs walking behind a woman near an elevator, grabbing her, and throwing her to the ground. He then appears to kick her twice and drag her by her sweatshirt. This disturbing footage prompted Mayor Adams to take action.
In a letter addressed to Combs’ communications representative, Adams expressed his deep disturbance over the assault footage. “I strongly condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence,” Adams wrote. He emphasized that the city has worked tirelessly to ensure that survivors are heard and seen by the administration.
The letter, sent to Combs’ addresses in Los Angeles and New York City on June 4, requested the immediate return of the key. The key was returned to the city six days later.
Combs has faced a wave of civil lawsuits in recent months and is now under federal investigation. Since November, he has been hit with five lawsuits in New York, accusing him of sexual assault, sexual trafficking, and other criminal activities. Combs has denied all allegations, calling them sickening.
Cassie alleged in her lawsuit that Combs raped and physically abused her, including punching, beating, kicking, and stomping her throughout their relationship. The lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed, with Combs vehemently denying the allegations through his lawyer. He later released a video apology in response to the hotel footage, acknowledging that his behavior in the video was inexcusable.
In March, federal agents executed searches of Combs’ properties, where guns were found, and his phones were seized at an airport as part of a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The return of the key marks a significant moment in the ongoing controversy surrounding Combs. The key was initially awarded to him in September 2023 during a Times Square ceremony, coinciding with the release of his album “The Love Album: Off The Grid.” At the time, Mayor Adams referred to Combs as “the bad boy of entertainment” receiving the key from “the bad boy of politics.”
However, the release of the surveillance video in May 2024, showing Combs attacking Cassie, changed the narrative. Days after the video’s release, Combs posted a video on social media apologizing for the alleged attack, stating, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable.”
Mayor Adams’ letter to Combs emphasized that the Key to the City of New York is presented to individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement and who act as a model for fellow and future New Yorkers. After internal deliberations, the Key to the City of New York committee recommended nullifying and rescinding Combs’ key, a recommendation that Adams accepted.
The mayor’s office confirmed that the key was received on Monday. This action follows Howard University’s decision earlier this month to rescind an honorary degree awarded to Combs in 2014 and cut financial ties with him.
The controversy surrounding Combs has had significant repercussions. In addition to the lawsuits and federal investigation, the release of the surveillance video has led to public condemnation and the loss of honors previously bestowed upon him.
Combs’ return of the key to New York City is a response to the growing pressure and scrutiny he faces. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about accountability and the importance of standing in solidarity with survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.
As the legal proceedings and investigations continue, the impact of these events on Combs’ career and public image remains to be seen. The return of the key is a symbolic gesture, reflecting the city’s commitment to upholding the values of respect and dignity for all individuals.
The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing and condemning acts of violence and abuse, regardless of the individual’s status or achievements. The actions taken by Mayor Adams and the city of New York send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated and that survivors will be supported and heard.
