Diddy PAYING protestors $20 an hour to wear 'Free Diddy' tees

Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has sparked fresh controversy after a viral TikTok video alleged that people were being paid $20 an hour to wear “Free Diddy” shirts and protest outside the New York courthouse where he is currently standing trial. The revelation has drawn sharp criticism online, with fellow rapper 50 Cent calling the stunt “diabolical.”In a TikTok clip posted by user @emilieknowseverything, a group of individuals can be seen standing outside the courthouse dressed in black T-shirts bearing the slogan “Free

Diddy

.” The person filming the video claims that participants were offered money to join the demonstration, while others declined.“I refused,” one woman said on camera. “He told me that it’s for a ‘Diddy coin,’ so I’m not really sure what that is.” The reference has sparked speculation that the protest may be tied to a publicity stunt involving cryptocurrency rather than a genuine show of support.

According to the video, some individuals were paid up to $60 to wear the shirts, with several being compensated at a rate of $20 per hour.Rapper 50 Cent, who has been an outspoken critic of Diddy amid his legal troubles, shared the viral video and took a swipe at the musician saying, “Diddy paying people to wear

Free Diddy shirts

is diabolical, but $20 a hour ain’t bad. I might go throw that on for an hour tomorrow. LOL.”He further ridiculed Diddy by posting a separate video set to Just the Two of Us, alluding to Combs’ ties with rapper Jay-Z, Beyonce's husband. “Friends till the end, Jay you still there? We blew up

Kid Cudi

’s car to show him who’s the BOSS! LOL,” he wrote, referencing their alleged friendship and past ventures together.

The protest stunt comes amid Combs’ high-profile trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Arrested in September 2024, Combs’ legal troubles escalated after a 2023 lawsuit by singer Cassie Ventura, his former partner of nearly 11 years, sparked a wider investigation.Ventura testified earlier this week, detailing years of alleged abuse by Combs. Prosecutors claim that since 2008, Combs operated a criminal network that used his music and business enterprises to exploit and traffic women. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all allegations.If convicted, Combs faces a minimum of 15 years in prison. The trial continues, with Combs scheduled to appear in court again at 9 a.m. on Monday.