Diddy Dealt Major Blow As Howard University Revokes Honorary Degree And Returns $1M Donation

Howard University has revoked Sean "Diddy" Comb's honorary degree and returned a $1 million donation amidst his mounting legal troubles.

The prestigious institution announced that its decision comes in light of a 2016 hotel surveillance footage that showed the music mogul assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura.

Grammy award-winning rapper Diddy faces multiple sexual assault lawsuits and a sex-trafficking investigation, as sources say the Department of Justice is gearing up a "bulletproof" indictment against him.

Howard University has announced its decision to invalidate an honorary degree award it conferred on Diddy in 2014. The university notes that all privileges and honors accrued to him because of the degree have also been nullified.

The decision comes as a result of the 2016 hotel surveillance footage that captured the "Bad Boy for Life" crooner jeering at, slapping, kicking, and pulling his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, along a hotel alley.

According to the Daily Mail, the Historical Black University (HBCU) announced in a statement that its "Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014."

"This acceptance revokes all honors and privileges associated with the degree. Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University," the statement read.

"Mr. Combs' behavior, as captured in a recently released video, is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University's core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution's highest honor," Howard's Board of Trustees added.

To unequivocally reveal its stance on the growing scrutiny surrounding Diddy in light of the viral assault clip, the university went further to add some penalties associated with its decision, adding that it is "unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence."

"The Board has also directed the University administration to immediately take the following actions: terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Mr. Combs, disband the scholarship program in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation," they went on, per the Daily Mail.

"No payments toward the $1 million pledge have been due or made by the Sean Combs Foundation as of this date, therefore no funds are due to be returned under the 2023 pledge agreement," Howard's board of trustees shared.

A bombshell Rolling Stone exposé claimed that the 54-year-old rapper has been physically assaulting women since his college days at Howard University. According to several sources who spoke to the news outlet, Diddy was often found engaging in the act of abusing women and inciting violence long before he gained mainstream notoriety.

Those familiar with Diddy's college days recalled his penchant for throwing good parties on campus and for his ambitious personality but added that he had abusive tendencies. The sources recalled a particular incident where he assaulted a young woman, flogging her with a belt outside her dorm room.

Another witness told the news outlet that Diddy, then known as "Puff," used what looked like a belt to whip the woman "all over the place" as others tried to intervene, adding that he "whupped her butt — like really whupped her butt."

Sources, including his former friends, acquaintances, employees, Bad Boy artists, and industry insiders, told the news outlet that the "I'll Be Missing You" rapper has been using his power in the music industry and celebrity status to cover his tracks.

As the DOJ prepares a federal indictment against him, Diddy has recently sold off his majority stakes in Revolt months after stepping down as the chairman.

According to the New York Times, the television and media company announced a new ownership structure in which its employees will become the largest shareholder group.

The company, which Diddy founded in 2013 alongside AXS TV president Andy Schuon to promote black artists, voices, and stories, will remain black-owned even as the new structure takes effect. Its CEO, Detavio Samuels, and Chief Brand Officer, Deon Graham, will remain in their current positions.

"He is no longer chairman. He is no longer on the board. He has no shares, and no equity in Revolt. We have completely separated and dissociated from each other," Samuels told the news outlet.

He also added that Diddy had "agreed to start the process of separation" in January as his legal woes worsened.

Since the lawsuits and allegations, Diddy has suffered several business setbacks. According to TMZ, leading American eyewear retailer America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses cut ties with Diddy after announcing the removal of his frames from shelves at their stores.

The rapper's music also came under scrutiny at popular New York-based exercise equipment and media company Peloton, which revealed a ban on it following complaints.

Peloton's statement read, "We take this issue very seriously and can confirm Peloton has paused the use of Sean Combs' music, as well as removed the Bad Boy Entertainment Artist Series, on our platform."

"This means our instructors are no longer using his music in any newly produced classes. Again, thank you for sharing your concerns, and thank you for being a member of our Peloton community," the statement concluded, per Radar Online.