Diddy Latest: What Happens to all that money?

Summary

Summary of "Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial" Episode: Diddy Latest: What Happens to all that money?
Release Date: July 10, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts

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1. Introduction

In this episode of the iHeartPodcasts series "Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial," hosts Amy Robach and TJ Rose delve into the recent courtroom verdict concerning Sean "Diddy" Combs. Joined by Aubrey O’Day, a former protege of Diddy and a notable figure in the entertainment industry, the trio provides an in-depth analysis of the trial's outcomes and their ramifications on Diddy's vast financial empire.

2. Verdict and Financial Implications

The episode opens with TJ Rose highlighting the significant courtroom victory for Diddy, emphasizing its positive impact on his financial standing:

TJ Rose [00:06]: "He doesn't have to get back his $400 million dollar fortune."

Amy Robach expands on this point, explaining the stakes involved if Diddy had been convicted of more severe charges, such as sex trafficking and RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act):

Amy Robach [00:42]: "Had he been convicted... the feds would then have been able to justify seizing every piece of property that was used while committing those crimes..."

The hosts discuss how the acquittal not only preserves Diddy's freedom but also safeguards his assets, preventing the government from confiscating his properties and businesses tied to alleged criminal activities.

3. Diddy’s Business Empire

Diddy's influence extends beyond music into various entrepreneurial ventures. Amy outlines the breadth of his empire:

Amy Robach [02:00]: "Not guilty on racketeering... he was called a music mogul."

TJ traces Diddy's rise from his early days in the 1990s, producing for iconic artists like Biggie Smalls and Tupac, to building a multifaceted business empire that includes:

• Sean John: A prominent clothing line ubiquitous in the late '90s and early 2000s.
• Revolt TV Network: A television network based in Atlanta.
• Ciroc Vodka and DeLeon Tequila: Alcohol brands that saw substantial growth under his promotion.
• Aquahydrate Alkaline Water: A venture co-owned with Mark Wahlberg.

Despite his legal challenges, Diddy's ventures have historically positioned him as one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the entertainment industry.

4. Civil Lawsuits and Legal Costs

The hosts shed light on the extensive civil litigation Diddy faces beyond the criminal trial. Amy Robach notes the multitude of lawsuits:

Amy Robach [06:12]: "There are dozens and dozens... it's insane."

They discuss the financial strain these lawsuits impose, even after the initial settlement with Cassie:

Amy Robach [06:10]: "$20 million out of pocket."

TJ Rose elaborates on the staggering legal fees incurred:

TJ Rose [07:16]: "The estimates of the experts out there say it's at least eight figures... 10, 15 is where they land."

This segment underscores the ongoing financial and legal battles that continue to challenge Diddy's previously unassailable wealth.

5. Impact on Music and Streaming Numbers

Interestingly, the trial has influenced Diddy's music streaming numbers. Amy Robach highlights a notable surge:

Amy Robach [09:32]: "His music saw a 20% boost in US streaming between April and May of 2025."

They attribute this spike to heightened media coverage and public curiosity, with listeners revisiting his music in light of the trial's revelations. Despite a slight decrease in June as public interest waned, streaming remained elevated compared to pre-trial levels.

6. Effects on Diddy’s Brands

The trial and ensuing controversies have impacted several of Diddy's business ventures:

• Ciroc and DeLeon Tequila: Both brands have severed ties with Diddy following legal disputes over representation, leading to his disassociation from their promotions.

  Amy Robach [14:40]: "He gave over the rights to both of those liquors."

• Sean John Clothing Line: Once a staple in the fashion industry, the brand has faced significant setbacks, including-pauses in its operations and discontinuation in major retailers like Macy's.

  Amy Robach [15:43]: "It's dormant. It's on pause."

The discussion highlights the erosion of Diddy's commercial influence due to the legal and reputational fallout from the trial.

7. Conclusion

Amy Robach and TJ Rose, with insights from Aubrey O’Day, conclude that while Diddy has successfully navigated the legal system to preserve his assets and personal freedom, the long-term implications on his business empire remain significant. The combination of criminal acquittal and the burden of numerous civil lawsuits presents a complex future for one of hip-hop's most prominent moguls.

TJ Rose [19:07]: "...most legal experts will say that not only Diddy dodge a huge... but he also dodged a huge financial one as well."

The episode provides a comprehensive overview of the trial's immediate outcomes and speculates on the enduring impact on Diddy's multifaceted enterprises.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• TJ Rose [00:06]: "He doesn't have to get back his $400 million dollar fortune."
• Amy Robach [00:42]: "Had he been convicted... the feds would then have been able to justify seizing every piece of property..."
• Amy Robach [02:00]: "Not guilty on racketeering... he was called a music mogul."
• Amy Robach [06:10]: "$20 million out of pocket."
• TJ Rose [07:16]: "The estimates of the experts out there say it's at least eight figures..."
• Amy Robach [09:32]: "His music saw a 20% boost in US streaming between April and May of 2025."
• Amy Robach [14:40]: "He gave over the rights to both of those liquors."
• Amy Robach [15:43]: "It's dormant. It's on pause."
• TJ Rose [19:07]: "Most legal experts will say that not only Diddy dodge a huge... but he also dodged a huge financial one as well."

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the podcast episode, providing a clear and detailed overview for listeners and those interested in the financial and legal intricacies surrounding Diddy's trial.

Transcript

[Amy]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[TJ Rose]

Hey there, folks. It is Thursday, July 10th. And Diddy, he got a key to the city and now he had to give it back. Howard University gave him an honorary degree. He had to give that back, too. But you know what? He doesn't have to get back his $400 million dollar fortune. And with that, everybody, welcome to this Diddy update episode of Amy and tj Rose we talk about. It was such a big win for him in the courtroom with that verdict. That verdict gave him a very big win in his finances.

[Amy]

That's correct. Because had he been convicted of the more serious charges, sex trafficking and of course, those that RICO charged, racketeering and conspiracy, the feds would then have been able to justify seizing every piece of property that was used while committing those crimes, including his mansions, including his private plane, where there were alleged incidents happening, including pretty much everything he owns to transport and participate in his life, because that would have been a part of his criminal enterprise.

[TJ Rose]

And you can argue, Rose, that that's everything. Every bit of bad boy, every bit of his businesses, every bit of everything. You were reaping benefits. All of this was a whole organization working and they could go after that money. I didn't piece it together at the time because I think most of us were thinking about verdict and jail time. Yes, but this is enormous for Sean Combs to be able to hold on to assets, a huge fortune. Look, yes, we're going to get into some of the stuff that is going out. Money is not coming in as quickly or at all, or at all. And again, but it's weird to think of, yes, so much was lost during this trial and so many victims and so much pain. But financially speaking, this was enormous for him to hear.

[Amy]

Not guilty on racketeering, it's true, because this was one of the wealthiest black men in the world, fair to say, certainly in this country. And there was so much at stake and he was facing losing his freedom, but also everything he had earned throughout his life, perhaps that he wanted to pass on to his children and their children. They talked about, the prosecution, talked about him having an enterprise and that a criminal enterprise. And that was certainly not believed necessarily by the jury or a lot of folks who were listening, but he did have an empire, so to speak. I mean, he was called a music mogul.

[TJ Rose]

And it all started, of course, with music. You go back to the 90s. A lot of people didn't maybe initially know the name Puffy or P. Diddy, but notorious Big Biggie Smalls, like even if you didn't know his music, which most people do, you still remembered how he was killed, how Tupac was killed. Right. He was such a part of culture. You know him, Diddy was right behind him producing those albums and pushing and pushing and pushing. One of the biggest stars hip hop has ever seen. So that's where it started. But Robes, he took hip hop and music and hits, and then he built an empire. And that's why we call him a mogul now. He had a long list of things that he was successful.

[Amy]

Yes, it wasn't just bad boy records, but he also had. Remember the clothing line Sean John? That was everywhere. I feel like I still see it sometimes on the streets of New York. He had a television network, Revolt TV Network, based down in Atlanta.

[TJ Rose]

I remember going by that place before. I had friends that worked there.

[Amy]

Definitely heard about his alcohol companies, right? Ciroc vodka, Delon tequila, Ciroc I'm more familiar with. And those.

[TJ Rose]

That's good stuff.

[Amy]

Those. Yeah. And just. I was just looking at the ads actually. He no longer is a part of them or affiliated with them. But it's very sexy, it's very European. And he was certainly a big promoter of it until all of this. And I didn't know this, but he.

[TJ Rose]

Had a water company, Aquahydrate alkaline water company. Owned it with Mark Wahlberg, I believe. And then they ended up building it up, selling it for a mint and still had shares in it. So he was doing great. And look, don't take our word for it, there are people who keep up with these numbers. He was a regular at Forbes. He was on list after list, year after year. And as recently robes as 2000. That wasn't that long ago. He was still making the list as one of the most well paid celebrities in this country.

[Amy]

Highest earning celebrities. He made the list on 2000. But I'm sorry, he made some pretty incredible lists after that. On Forbes 5 back in 2017, the richest in hip hop, $820 million. That's how much Forbes said he was worth in 2017.

[TJ Rose]

And that put him number one on the list of hip hop earners that year.

[Amy]

That above who else?

[TJ Rose]

Dr. Dre, I think Jay Z was number two. I think Kanye's on the list. You keep going through. I think now, I mean, Drake was getting going at that point, but those are the names, some of the biggest names. And he was number one on top of them all.

[Amy]

Number one. 2019. He was reportedly worth 740 million. That's what you keep hearing. People refer back to, and most folks say he was well on his way to billionaire status. And I, I believe there were folks within the Combs camp who said before all of this happened, before the allegations first surfaced from Cassie, he had a billion. I don't think it was ever proven, but they definitely said he was a billionaire when that lawsuit came about. Just what, a year and a half ago, 2013?

[TJ Rose]

Yeah, a year and a half ago. So, I mean, so he was doing well. Even if he's not on top of the music industry anymore, in the past couple of years, he was still doing well. The latest estimates had his value at least at trial time, if you will, at around $400 million. So that's what we're talking about, him going into this trial, if you will. If you believe the estimates, he was sitting on about $400 million. So lawsuits start getting dropped, and then Cassie's lawsuit drops. He Settles that one.

[Amy]

$20 million out of pocket.

[TJ Rose]

Start doing some math there. $20 million out of Pocket. And nobody knows with these civil lawsuits how that's going to go down. But that's a lot of lawyers.

[Amy]

A lot of lawyers. Even if you aren't paying out, even if you don't even reach a settlement and you make them go away, you're still paying your lawyers to handle each and every one of those lawsuits. And this is actually a true statement. When you Google and you try to find out just how many civil lawsuits there are now against Diddy, it's too many to count. I don't know that anyone has an accurate number. That's. But dozens and dozens is what people typically are reporting. But that's kind of insane when you think about it. There are so many lawsuits against you. I'm sure they're all in the millions, and there are too many to count.

[TJ Rose]

So that's lawyers. Forget the settlements that might come, but that's lawyers. There isn't even an estimate of how much that can cost him. So he's sitting on 400 million. That's minus 20 for Cassie. Now, how much does his defense team cost? The best in the business. Was it eight of them? I think working nonstop for you since about 2023.

[Amy]

I cannot even imagine how much. I know how much the little bit of lawyers fees that I had to pay for a couple days worth of work, and that was seven figures. So I can't imagine. What is it, $100 million? No. I'm. I'm just guessing. No, but at least, at least 50 million, 25 million.

[TJ Rose]

They will. The estimates of the experts out there say it's at least eight figures. Obviously in the eight figures, but 10, 15 is where they land. I don't know. How does that sound? High? Does it sound low? That's a lot of money, no matter what.

[Amy]

Well, there were so many lawyers too, with all big names and big firms.

[TJ Rose]

And paralegals and everybody's working around the clock. You know what? It worked. Whatever he spent, it was worth it.

[Amy]

It was worth it. It was an investment in his freedom. Absolutely.

[TJ Rose]

So money isn't coming necessarily back in music, though he is still and has been making it for the past couple years, if you have not noticed. Diddy has put out, I guess a critically acclaimed or at least Grammy nominated album just in the past couple of years.

[Amy]

2023, 2023. Love album, off the grid, Grammy nominated. And as a part of that whole process, he had, and I didn't realize this, Janelle Monae, the Age of Pleasure, he was a part of that. And she actually was nominated as well the same year. 2023, he had two Grammy nominations.

[TJ Rose]

So they don't have a lot, at least on the slate of Bad Boy artists. You can't name any, have big projects or have big tours or doing anything big at this point. But Bad Boy is still operational. As of two years ago, put out two albums that actually were critically acclaimed. Were critically acclaimed. Now, that does not mean necessarily that Bad Boy Entertainment is bawling at this point. But his streaming music is everywhere. I mean, his own stuff. But he's a producer on so much. He's just so present all over in streaming and robes. At least at this point. Most. I mean, he's not disappearing from the streaming sites.

[Amy]

No, not at all. In fact, this was an interesting tidbit. His music saw a 20% boost in US streaming between April and May of 2025.

[TJ Rose]

Why then? Hmm.

[Amy]

Because it's so interesting. Apparently if you're making headlines, even for all the bad, worst reasons you could imagine, people are interested and click on your music and listen to it. And that is exactly what happened. In fact, an article said that you actually could watch the numbers, the streaming numbers jump when key moments were happening in the trial, throughout the trial in May. So when Cassie testified, they said, boom, they saw a spike in his music. When Kid Cudi testified, a spike probably in both of their music. But it was completely tied to headlines and interest and people going on and saying, let me take a listen to that.

[TJ Rose]

You know, Ken, we admit I've listened to Cassie songs in the past two, three months. And I haven't listened to a Cassie song in years, probably.

[Amy]

Right.

[TJ Rose]

So whatever that is, it just gets in you and you just automatically start listening.

[Amy]

Well, I start listening to lyrics differently too because now suddenly they don't sound the same to me. So that's been interesting. I think there's some sort of interest in that too. Like what was he saying? Was he telling us what he was doing? Was he. Was he acting like he was someone else? Or is the person who we're hearing all about behind the scenes from a sexual standpoint not that different from the guy who's singing those lyrics?

[TJ Rose]

It sounds different. We had some stuff on.

[Amy]

Very much so, yes.

[TJ Rose]

Wow. That doesn't sound like the ditty we. No, no, we now know.

[Amy]

But I will say, but people are fickle. They don't stick with you. Funny enough, this last month in June, you know, when the trial was kind of waning in interest, it got a little more boring with connecting the dots and people who were testifying about things other than baby oil and freak offs, there was a 5 to 10% decrease in downloads from the months before. So people are like, I'm over it.

[TJ Rose]

I haven't seen though that there has been. He's taken a hit necessarily. Like a backlash, if you will.

[Amy]

No, quite the opposite. No, not in fact. If you say there are 20% jump in April and May and they're only dropped 5 or 10% in June, they're.

[TJ Rose]

Still up from before since his arrest and since the Cassie video even. I don't remember doing stories about people running. Some brands were running from him. But I don't remember listeners or stories about his streaming or have huge dips or anything like that. I don't know if it ever happened with him.

[Amy]

Well, I mean, we've had this conversation plenty when other artists have been charged with heinous crimes from Michael Jackson to. Who was the most recent one? Smokey Robinson. You know, I think people actually probably start listening more. They start getting fascinated, they're reminded by it. And yes, some people of course are going to be turned off by it and never listen to them again. But I don't think that's most people. I think most people do the opposite.

[TJ Rose]

What do we do with it? And I'm doing we've done it subconsciously. I don't even. I'm looking at, wow, a 20% jump. What are people thinking? Well, I'm thinking about myself. I do the same damn thing. We were reporting on allegations against Smokey Robinson. We played nothing but Smokey Robinson songs Probably that morning just cut, like, subconsciously, it just came on.

[Amy]

Apparently we're just like everyone else, because it shows very clearly that that is indeed what people do. It's true. And you know what? That's just, I think, human nature. And what about Diddy's son putting out music?

[TJ Rose]

Which one was it? King Combs.

[Amy]

King Combs.

[TJ Rose]

King Combs.

[Amy]

Never stop.

[TJ Rose]

And it had the song Diddy Free on it. I don't know. That could read to some as the timing and poor taste and seeming to take advantage of a moment. But, hey, he wanted to put something out, express himself, his dad, his life is on the line. But, yeah, that's out now. I don't know how that's doing.

[Amy]

I did find it interesting that the project that King Combs and ye Kanye released together was released by. Do you know this company, Goodfellas Entertainment. I just thought that was, oh, so ironic given how they were trying to convict Diddy on racketeering and conspiracy charges normally reserved for members of the mafia or mob. So just the fact that Goodfellas Entertainment release, that just wasn't lost on me. That's all I'm saying.

[TJ Rose]

Look at you piecing it all together. Well, folks, stay with us. We got a couple more things to piece together here. Sean John, you remember that clothing line? It seemed to be everywhere for a long time. Well, we can tell you one place you certainly won't find it. One retailer says no more. And Rico, what exactly is that? And how has he now been saved from losing his $400 million? All right, folks, we talked about Diddy's music. We've talked about his estimated worth. We've talked about streaming numbers. We've talked about what he is losing, if you will. Robes, you. We were talking about Ciroc and De Leon, his liquor companies. I believe he did. He's not involved with Ciroc anymore.

[Amy]

No.

[TJ Rose]

They.

[Amy]

He actually got into a legal dispute. He didn't feel like he was being fairly represented. And so as a part of that legal dispute and as a part of the settlement, he gave over the rights to both of those liquors. So they're still going strong, but just zero affiliation with Diddy anymore.

[TJ Rose]

And he was everywhere promoting that for. For a long time, and that thing took off.

[Amy]

Yeah, he made. Well, he made allegations that he wasn't given the same support as other celebrities and that he was only being used basically to make an appearance of diversity versus actually making an investment in diversity. So he was very upset about that.

[TJ Rose]

Well, it worked because I was all about Ciroc Baca and some of those flavors for a little while. He also had Sean John, the clothing line. Now, this wasn't Sean. This was an early one that people got away from when the Cassie video came out.

[Amy]

Yes, I used. Definitely stopped seeing that really very often. But specifically Macy's. Yes. Cut ties with him and just it basically. What do they say? It's on pause. They didn't really say it's over.

[TJ Rose]

Dormant.

[Amy]

It's dormant. I used on pause. But. So perhaps they're hoping it could come back. But it was all the rage in the 90s. I just. Was it the. The aughts. Is that what we call it? The 2000s? I'm trying the aughts. I feel like that's where I saw so many Sean John cloth. Everywhere.

[TJ Rose]

It was everywhere. And I haven't seen it lately. So that's kind of going away. So he. He doesn't have a thriving music industry. He doesn't have a thriving liquor industry anymore. He doesn't have a thriving clothing line anymore. So what does Diddy do? He does. He is able to hold on to his money. But again, we keep saying rico. Rico, rico, rico. Racketeer influenced corrupt organizations is what that stands for. And again, it was specifically created to go after mob bosses. It's particularly created. So the guy at the bottom running on the street, doing the bidding of the guy at the top. Well, the guy at the bottom isn't the only one that's going to get in trouble. It's the guy at the top that is essentially what RICO is. You're running an enterprise. Okay? Diddy has not been found guilty of running an enterprise. And robes. This was everything. Because a big part of ricoh, they have specific laws attached to. To them that they forfeit. Your laws.

[Amy]

Correct?

[TJ Rose]

Right, Correct. Take your shit.

[Amy]

They can take it all. Because they say if it was either used in the criminal process or whatever crimes you're committing, if it was a part of that transportation, entertainment, whatever, if anything was happening in any of those properties that you owned that they could then be seized. And also if any of your profits that you gleaned from having or been committing criminal acts, if you're using that to purchase things, they can take that away from you as well. So you know all. I only know this from watching mob movies. And you know, the wives of like all of a sudden their homes are being.

[TJ Rose]

That's accurate.

[Amy]

Taken away. Their cars are being taken. They're trying to hide their jewelry. This is this. What movie was that? Was it the Godfather? Trying to hide things that the government won't take it. That's how I'm like. Yeah, you're right, that does happen.

[TJ Rose]

No, you're right. And I want my watch mob documentaries. And that's exactly how it goes down on those as well. Yes, they will take everything. They're going to go after everything but robes. This is interesting. Now they could go after something of his that he used in prostitution.

[Amy]

That's what the law is.

[TJ Rose]

But he didn't fly them to him.

[Amy]

But he flew Cassie and Jane on those plans. Planes which were a part of the prostitution. I wonder. I know he didn't get charged with sex trafficking, but that, that plane.

[TJ Rose]

Oh. Oh, no. This doesn't count.

[Amy]

It doesn't.

[TJ Rose]

No.

[Amy]

It's only the male escorts. So I don't know. For prostitution they could. Because we'll see how this goes. But there have been legal experts who believe the pro. The prosecution is going to try and have his past deeds that he admitted be considered in sentencing. So I wonder if they could also consider past deeds that he admitted, including domestic violence or any of the above. If those happened in any of his properties, could they then go after those properties?

[TJ Rose]

Is it worth it to them at this point? Maybe they think they might be seeking more justice or they might be saying, do we need to take another L, We've already stretched ourselves and see where it got us. Do we need to do this again and get more egg on our face? Who knows?

[Amy]

We shall see. But I'm sure at the very least it does look like from most financial experts, most legal experts will say that not only Diddy dodge a huge. Basically a huge bullet in terms of his freedom, but he also dodged a huge financial one as well. This is an iHeart podcast.