Diddy Scores Partial Win In Defamation Lawsuit Against Ariel Mitchell

A federal judge has refused to dismiss the defamation case Sean “Diddy” Combs brought against attorney Ariel Mitchell, allowing several of his claims to continue. According to TMZ, the ruling covers statements Mitchell made while his criminal case was pending, including allegations involving sex tapes and drug-laced baby oil.

U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan issued the decision Sept. 4 in Manhattan federal court. Mitchell argued that her statements were protected opinion or rhetorical hyperbole and that Combs had not adequately alleged actual malice. The judge found that some of the accusations were specific enough to be proven true or false.

Cronan did not rule that Mitchell defamed Combs. At this stage, the court was only deciding whether the lawsuit could proceed.

Combs also sued Nexstar Media, which owns NewsNation, over broadcasts featuring Mitchell’s allegations. The judge dismissed several portions of that claim after finding Combs had not sufficiently alleged actual malice by the network. One claim against Nexstar survived. It centers on an October 2024 broadcast in which Mitchell discussed the alleged use of baby oil to administer drugs and tied the claim to one of her clients.

Combs filed the lawsuit in January 2025 against Mitchell, her former client Courtney Burgess, and Nexstar. Burgess had claimed he possessed videos showing Combs sexually assaulting celebrities and minors. Combs denied those allegations and accused Mitchell and NewsNation of helping spread them.

Mitchell previously called the lawsuit an effort to silence accusers and said she intended to countersue. The court also denied her request for attorney fees tied to the dismissal motion. The case will continue with Mitchell still facing Combs’ defamation claims and a narrower claim remaining against Nexstar. The parties are scheduled to return to court Sept. 17 to discuss the next phase of the lawsuit.