‘Abusers never take responsibility’: P Diddy slammed online for apology after footage of him beating Cassie emerges

Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs posted an apology video to social media on Sunday, two days after a hotel surveillance video showing him attacking his ex-girlfriend was obtained and released by CNN.

“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life but sometimes you gotta do that. I was f***** up. I hit rock bottom and I make no excuses,” Diddy said in the video posted on his Instagram page. “My behaviour on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

Addressing the camera directly, Diddy said he had sought therapy and gone into rehab. The rapper added, “I had asked God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. Truly sorry.”

In the surveillance video from 2016, released on Friday, the rapper appears to grab R&B vocalist Casandra Ventura as she waits by an elevator in a California hotel. Clad only in a towel, he throws her to the floor, kicking her repeatedly before dragging her toward a hallway, the video shows.

A representative for Diddy could not be immediately reached by Reuters for further comment.

Ventura, who performs under the stage name Cassie, sued Diddy in 2023, accusing him of serial physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape during a 10-year professional and romantic relationship in which he controlled her through intimidation, drugs and alcohol.

The parties settled the matter the following day for undisclosed terms. Representatives for Diddy said that the settlement was “in no way an admission of wrongdoing.”

Cassie’s lawsuit was one of at least four civil complaints that recently levelled sexual assault allegations against Diddy. Attorney Meredith Firetog, who represented Cassie, said Diddy’s apology on Sunday does not vindicate him.

“Diddy’s most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.

That he was only compelled to ‘apologise’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words,“ Firetog said in a statement.

X users had similar reactions to the ‘apology’. Many called out the rapper for resorting to an apology after the video was released while others pointed out that Diddy’s apology was carefully worded to make him look like the victim. Users also held that it wasn’t on them to forgive him.

“Diddy is so sorry that footage has emerged to prove what a woman-beating thug he is,” a user wrote. “Please note he’s not acknowledged the pain or trauma he’s put Cassie through as he’s just made it all about himself. He’s a real textbook narcissist,” they added.

Another urged Diddy to “not gaslight us”.

A netizen used the footage as a reference point for people with the tendency to victim-blame in such situations.

One user held that the people “forgiving” Diddy online were part of the problem, because “he didn’t abuse YOU.”

Let’s just say Diddy’s apology is not sitting well with X users for all the right reasons.

Many users also referenced Diddy’s earlier statement — the one he shared in response to Cassie’s allegation — to highlight how easy it is for alleged sexual abusers to use the gold digger card to manipulate the situation in their favour.

A string of sexual assault allegations have been made against Diddy. Four women, including Cassie, filed lawsuits accusing him of sexual and physical abuse.

In a statement issued last December, Diddy defended himself against what he described as “sickening allegations” made by “individuals looking for a quick payday”. “Let me be absolutely clear — I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” he said, adding he would fight to clear his name.