Podcast Summary: "Are You Done?!" – The Trial of Diddy
Episode Overview In the episode titled "Are You Done?!", released on June 3, 2025, The Trial of Diddy podcast delves into the high-stakes federal trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Hosted by journalists Kayla Brantley and Hermania Rodriguez Paulo, the episode provides an in-depth analysis of the ongoing courtroom battles, key testimonies, and the intense scrutiny surrounding the rapper and music mogul. This episode marks week four of the trial, highlighting significant developments and explosive revelations that continue to captivate the audience.
Courtroom Turmoil and Incidents
The episode opens with the hosts addressing a tumultuous day in the courtroom. During the proceedings, a woman in the public gallery became visibly upset, shouting, “diddy, these mother effers are laughing at you in every courtroom” ([02:01]). This outburst led to her swift removal by security, underscoring the charged atmosphere surrounding the trial.
Kayla Brantley remarks, “From freak offs to the mysterious list, the shocking case that has gripped the world is finally here. And we'll be bringing you every detail as it happens” ([01:01]).
Additionally, chaos erupted when a supporter of Diddy in the press gallery began heckling the alleged victim, Mia, and encouraging Diddy's defense team—actions that are prohibited in the courtroom.
Eddie Garcia’s Testimony: Alleged Bribery to Suppress Evidence
A pivotal moment in the trial involved Eddie Garcia, a security guard from the Intercontinental Hotel where the March 2016 assault on Cassie Ventura allegedly took place.
Hermannia Rodriguez Paulo explains, “Earlier today, another one of his colleagues, a guy called Eddie Garcia, took the stand. He told the jury that he took a $100,000 bribe from the rapper to make the video disappear from all the hotel computer servers” ([03:26]).
Kayla Brantley continues, “Garcia said that after the assault, he received a call from Diddy's right-hand woman, Christina Karam. He told her he would need to contact management about the footage request. But hours later, Karam returned looking for him...” ([03:26]-[04:05]).
Garcia detailed the interaction, stating, “Mr. Combs sounded very nervous. He was talking really fast, was saying that he had a little too much to drink and that I knew how things were with women. One thing led to another. If this got out, it could ruin him” ([04:05]).
He further testified that he received a total of $100,000 after initially agreeing to a $50,000 payout. Garcia admitted to not reporting the bribe on his taxes or depositing the money into a bank account, instead spending it on personal expenses, including a new car ([04:29]-[05:04]).
When questioned about the resurfacing of the tape on CNN, Garcia confessed, “I had indeed taken the money” ([05:04]-[05:20]).
Mia’s Testimony: Allegations of Sexual Assault and Abuse
The centerpiece of the episode is the harrowing testimony of Mia, Diddy’s former personal assistant.
Kayla Brantley recounts Mia’s claims: “She claimed she was raped and sexually assaulted by Diddy on four different occasions, that he was frequently angry and violent toward her, and that she kept it all to herself out of embarrassment and fear” ([05:04]-[05:20]).
Detailed Accounts of Assaults:
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November 2009 – Diddy’s 40th Birthday Party:
- Mia describes being drugged with vodka shots, leading to an assault in the kitchen. She states, “He put his arm next to my head against the wall and leaned in to kiss me and put his other hand up the side of my dress” ([08:53]-[10:21]).
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Subsequent Assaults:
- Mia recounts a second incident at Diddy’s Los Angeles home where she was assaulted while sleeping. “He put himself inside of me” ([10:04]-[10:48]).
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Saint Barts – New Year's Eve 2010:
- On a yacht, Diddy allegedly lashed out in anger during a money-counting task, leading Mia to flee in fear ([10:55]-[11:35]).
Impact on Mia: Mia revealed that she suffers from complex PTSD and has struggled to maintain employment since leaving Diddy’s employ ([05:20]-[05:49]). When questioned about her silence, she expressed fear of losing her career and reputation, stating, “I couldn't tell him no about a sandwich. I couldn't tell him no about anything” ([06:08]).
Defense’s Cross-Examination: Brian Steele’s Tactics
Brian Steele, Diddy's defense attorney, launched a rigorous cross-examination aimed at discrediting Mia’s allegations.
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Social Media Scrutiny:
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Steele highlighted Mia’s positive interactions with Diddy on platforms like Instagram. For instance, a birthday post featuring a comedic video where Mia appears to give birth with Diddy acting as the doctor was brought to the jury's attention ([12:09]-[13:15]).
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Steele: “You have your rapist delivering the baby” ([12:54]).
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Mia Defense: Mia claimed the video was a humorous portrayal, emphasizing it was unrelated to the assault claims ([13:00]-[13:15]).
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Questioning Mia’s Credibility:
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Steele confronted Mia about positive messages she sent to Diddy post-employment, including one where she credited him as her savior: “just thinking of you today and every day, I had a nightmare. I was trapped in an elevator with R. Kelly. I screamed, and you came to rescue me” ([19:27]-[20:10]).
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Steele: “The person who sexually assaulted you in your dream or nightmare came to your rescue.”
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Mia defended her actions by explaining her perception of Diddy as a protector, despite the abuse ([20:11]-[20:42]).
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Professional Relationships:
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Steele questioned Mia’s departure from Diddy’s employment and the subsequent settlement. He insinuated that Mia’s allegations were influenced by the broader MeToo movement, especially after Cassie Ventura filed her own claims ([23:30]-[23:52]).
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Mia denied being blacklisted and asserted her professional growth post-Diddy ([23:52]-[24:45]).
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Emotional and Psychological State:
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Mia revealed her psychological struggles, attributing her inability to resist Diddy’s abuse to her empathetic nature and desire to please others ([17:04]-[21:34]).
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She articulated feeling brainwashed and trapped in a cycle of abuse, which Steele attempted to undermine by highlighting her seemingly positive social interactions with Diddy ([21:44]-[21:53]).
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Courtroom Dynamics: An intense exchange occurred when Steele abruptly asked Mia, “Are you done?” ([22:34]). Mia’s affirmative response led to a dispute between the prosecution and defense over the appropriateness of Steele’s interrogation style. The judge ultimately ruled that Mia was treated properly during the cross-examination ([22:34]-[23:04]).
Conclusion and Current Status
As the episode concludes, the jury is left to ponder the conflicting testimonies. Mia’s courage in confronting Diddy’s alleged abuse is juxtaposed against the defense’s aggressive attempts to undermine her credibility. The trial continues to unfold with high tension, and listeners are kept on edge awaiting the next developments.
Kayla Brantley closes with, “I can't look my niece or my goddaughters in the eyes and advise them on the future if they happen to be in this situation” ([25:10]).
The episode promises further revelations and expert analysis in the upcoming installments, maintaining the gripping narrative that has made The Trial a chart-topping podcast with over 30 million downloads.
Notable Quotes:
- Eddie Garcia ([04:05]): "Mr. Combs sounded very nervous. He was talking really fast... If this got out, it could ruin him."
- Mia ([06:08]): "He'd fire me and ruin my future and somehow twist the story into making me look like a threat."
- Brian Steele ([12:54]): "You have your rapist delivering the baby."
- Mia ([20:36]): "I was in an environment where the highs were really high and the lows were really low..."
Contact and Additional Information Listeners can follow The Trial of Diddy on X and Instagram @thetrialpod or reach out via email at thetrial@dailymail.com. For ad-free content and exclusive episodes, memberships are available at thecrimedesk.com.
This summary is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the "Are You Done?!" episode for informational purposes and reflects the complexities and emotional weight of the trial proceedings.
