Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces a significant setback as Howard University announces the revocation of his honorary degree and ends all financial associations with him.
“The Howard University Board of Trustees unanimously voted today to accept the return of the honorary degree awarded to Mr. Sean Combs in 2014,” a university spokesperson said in an official statement.
“This decision rescinds all honors and privileges tied to the degree. As a result, the Board has instructed the removal of his name from all documents listing honorary degree recipients at Howard University.”
Howard University to return Diddy’s $1 million donation
The spokesperson further noted that Howard will “immediately end a 2016 gift agreement with Mr. Combs, discontinue the scholarship program under his name, return his $1 million donation, and void a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.” They added, “No payments under the $1 million pledge have been required or made by the Sean Combs Foundation to date, so no funds need to be returned under the 2023 pledge agreement.”
Last month, CNN released CCTV footage showing Diddy involved in a violent altercation with his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. The video captures the music executive chasing Ventura out of a room, grabbing her by the neck, throwing her to the floor, kicking her twice, dragging her back into the room, and throwing objects at her.
The spokesperson elaborated, “Mr. Combs’ actions, as seen in the recently released video, are fundamentally incompatible with the core values and principles of Howard University, making him unfit to hold the institution’s highest honor.”
“The University stands firm in its condemnation of all forms of interpersonal violence.”
Combs and Ventura settle lawsuit following abuse allegations
The allegations by Ventura, now 37, were outlined in a November 2023 lawsuit, accusing Combs of physical and sexual abuse throughout their decade-long relationship. Ventura and Combs reached an undisclosed settlement shortly after the lawsuit was filed.
Initially, Combs dismissed Ventura’s allegations as false but later released a video apologizing, describing the incident as “inexcusable” and expressing deep remorse.
Ventura, while expressing gratitude for the public’s support, shared how domestic violence had profoundly affected her and discussed her ongoing healing process.
“I sought professional help, started therapy and rehab, and turned to God for his mercy and grace,” she revealed.
Despite the “extremely disturbing” footage, the LA County District Attorney’s Office indicated that it cannot press charges against Combs due to the statute of limitations.
Combs is also facing similar accusations from six other individuals, all of which he has denied.
