LeBron James is facing backlash after comments he made about Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ parties have resurfaced online. The Los Angeles Lakers star has generally steered clear of major controversies during his two-decade career in the NBA, but a clip from a live stream in 2020 with Diddy has recently gone viral. In it, James remarked, “Ain’t no party like a Diddy party.”
This renewed attention comes on the heels of Diddy’s arrest on September 16, following his indictment on serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution. Diddy has firmly denied these allegations.
The disgraced hip-hop mogul was taken into custody by federal agents in New York and has been accused of using drugs to coerce female victims and male sex workers into extended sexual encounters. Following the investigation, authorities searched Diddy’s properties in Miami and Los Angeles, discovering a staggering 1,000 bottles of baby oil, which were reportedly linked to “freak-offs.” Diddy pleaded not guilty to all charges during a hearing in Manhattan on September 17.
With the resurfacing of the video, pressure is mounting on James to comment, particularly from political commentator Candace Owens, who posted on X, “Is LeBron James going to weigh in on his friend’s ‘freak-offs’? I mean, we hear from ‘the king’ on virtually every political issue, so this seems like an odd one to stay quiet about.”
Reactions from social media have also been critical, with one account questioning, “Really, LeBron James?” and another remarking, “That didn’t age well.” Additionally, a photo allegedly showing James in a maid outfit has gone viral, although its authenticity has been disputed, with many suggesting it appears to be AI-generated.