As Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial nears its conclusion, Oprah Winfrey is setting the record straight — saying she “never” partied with the embattled music mogul.
Oprah made the comment on Thursday, June 12, during a fireside chat with Bishop T.D. Jakes about faith and business at Jakes’ annual Good Soil Forum in Dallas, Texas.
“First of all, I have never been near a Puff party. I have never been near a Puff party. And anybody who knows me knows if there is a party, I am the first one out,” Winfrey said in a video posted on YouTube by the Dallas Morning News.
Related: Diddy’s Ex-Assistant Denies Being ‘Mule’ But Admits Buying Lots of Drugs
Related: Diddy Was Furious His Ex ‘Jane’ Attended ‘Freak Off’ Hosted by Other Rapper
Jakes reminded the media mogul, and the 2,000 attendees, that “people love salacious stories.”
The megachurch pastor said he once went to Diddy’s house to tell the producer and rapper “happy birthday,” and his visit became tabloid news.
“I stopped by Puff’s house for 30 minutes, during the day at 2 o’clock, with staff people, and out of that came a love affair and all kinds of stuff,” Jakes said.
“You too?” Oprah responded sarcastically.
“Yes!” Jakes said. “I am almost 70 years old, what do I look like? I am a grandfather. What do I look like at this late day going? But that’s the kind of world that we are living in.”
Jakes said people perpetuate “lies” online, but there’s not a lot you can do. “You can’t fight it, you can’t sue it down,” because of the way laws are written.
In December 2023, Jakes trended on social media after viral rumors spread alleging he had intimate encounters with men at parties hosted by Diddy.
Jakes addressed the accusations in a Christmas Eve sermon and directed his frustration at people watching online.
“Some of you logged in or came in out of concern. Some of you have come in to hear what I have to say. All of you expect me to address a lie, you can log off,” Jakes said to applause. “I will not use this sacred day and this sacred pulpit to address a lie when I have a chance to preach the truth.”
Diddy, 55, is currently being tried on five counts, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the center of the case are his drug-fueled sex parties known as “freak offs,” “hotel knights” and “wild king knights.” If convicted, the music mogul faces up to life in prison.
The prosecution is expected to rest on Monday or Tuesday. The defense says it will take about two days to present its case. The jury could begin deliberating by the end of the week.
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It does not make sense for this man to have let go of his ministry over “a lie”.