Howard University rescinds Sean 'Diddy' Combs' degree after video of assault surfaces

Howard University’s board of trustees voted to rescind an honorary degree presented in 2014 to American rapper Sean “Diddy" Combs Friday after a video surfaced showing him kicking, hitting and dragging then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

“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,” a Howard spokesperson said on behalf of the board. “The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.”

In addition to the rescinded honorary degree, the board said it has directed Howard University to return Combs' $1 million contribution, terminate a 2016 gift agreement, disband a scholarship program in his name and end a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation. The board said no payments toward the pledge had been made.

Combs, 54, has faced a slew of lawsuits in recent months alleging he raped or sexually assaulted multiple women over the past few decades. In March, his Los Angeles home was raided by Homeland Security Investigations agents, reportedly in connection with an ongoing sex trafficking investigation in New York. He is also accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a model in 2003.

2016 assault video

The university's announcement comes after a video from 2016 was released last month that showed Combs striking and dragging his girlfriend at the time.

The hotel surveillance video obtained by CNN is reportedly from March 5, 2016, and compiled from multiple camera angles. The incident matched an allegation levied in Ventura's November sex trafficking, rape and physical abuse lawsuit against the hip hop mogul. The two settled the civil suit one day after it was filed.

In the video, Ventura is seen walking to an elevator in what CNN reports is the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.

Combs catches up with Ventura before the elevator comes, striking and yanking her by the hair and throwing her to the ground, the video shows. He then kicks Ventura twice while she is on the floor, picking up her bag and dragging her back toward the hotel rooms.

He then lets her go, appearing to say something to her as he walks back to a hotel room with her bag.

Combs’ team did not immediately return USA TODAY’s request for comment Friday.

Combs is one of the most well-known American rappers, also gaining notoriety as a record producer and record executive. He started out as an intern at Uptown Records, and in 1992, he founded Bad Boy Records. The company sold over 500 million records, produced 38 platinum singles and earned multiple Grammy Awards, according to the official website for Combs Global. Forbes reported in 2022 that the net value of his business ventures and properties add up to an estimated $1 billion.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800-656-HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.

Contributing: Ahjané Forbes, Taijuan Moorman, Edward Segarra, USA TODAY