Diddy’s Honorary Degree Revoked by Howard University, $1M Donation to be Returned

In 2014, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was awarded an honorary degree by Howard University. However, the university’s Board of Trustees has now decided to withdraw this honor. This decision was made after a video from 2016 was released by CNN, showing Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, at a hotel in Los Angeles.

The university, which is a historically Black institution based in Washington DC, also announced that it would end the scholarship program that was named after Combs.

The Board of Trustees stated that all honors and privileges associated with the degree are now revoked. They have instructed that Combs’s name be removed from all documents that list the recipients of Howard University’s honorary degrees.

The university stated that the behavior displayed by Combs in the video goes against the university’s core values and beliefs. They believe that he is no longer deserving of the institution’s highest honor. The university also reiterated its strong stance against all forms of interpersonal violence.

The university’s administration has been instructed by the Board to terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Combs, end the scholarship program in his name, and return his $1 million donation. They will also terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation, which had pledged $1 million. As of now, no funds were due or received from the Sean Combs Foundation for this pledge.

This announcement from Howard University comes amidst ongoing controversy surrounding Combs, who was once a beloved figure in the music industry. Since November, Combs has been named in eight lawsuits. Ventura had accused him of abusing her for years during their relationship and of raping her in 2018, which has now been settled.

Combs has been accused of sexual misconduct and other illegal activities in subsequent lawsuits. He has not responded to all the allegations but has denied many of the claims from the civil suits.

The US Department of Homeland Security has started a federal investigation into Combs over allegations of sex trafficking. As part of the investigation, his homes in Los Angeles and Miami were searched on March 25.

No federal criminal charges have been filed against Combs yet. The video released by CNN could potentially be used as evidence in the federal investigation.