Graphic text exchanges between music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs and singer Cassie Ventura were made public this week as the second week of Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial unfolded in Manhattan.

The 162 pages of unsealed messages have quickly become central to the courtroom narrative as Ventura recounted her experiences in testimony that includes allegations of repeated abuse and exploitation by Combs during their long, fraught relationship from 2007 to 2018, as the New York Post reports.

The text messages, introduced by Combs’ legal team, contain routine personal notes and sexually explicit exchanges that Combs’ attorneys point to as evidence of a consensual relationship. They argue that the nature of the messages undermines claims of coercion and mistreatment.

However, Ventura -- 38 and visibly pregnant -- testified in court that the interactions reflected a disturbing pattern of manipulation, physical assault and forced participation in sex acts during their time together. She maintained that the abuse occurred under the guise of consent but was rooted in pressure and fear.

Court documents reveal intimate messages

Among the messages shown in court was a 2012 exchange in which Combs appeared to reference a medical concern, texting Ventura: “S--t. Need you to go to doc.” Ventura’s response referred to their excessive lifestyle at the time: “Yea. We did a lot…a lot of dicks. A lot of partying.”

In another 2012 message, Ventura wrote to Combs that she missed him and their sexual encounters, saying she longed for their “love sessions in the afternoon.” Defense attorneys highlighted this wording to underline what they say was a mutual dynamic in their sexual relationship.

On the witness stand, Ventura described events differently. She broke down in tears as she recounted being pressured to participate in what she described as “freak-offs,” noting that though she may have texted excitedly before them, these encounters left her feeling “worthless.”

Cassie details alleged coersion

According to Ventura, some of the sex acts were recorded using an iPad at the direction of Combs. She also testified about visiting an adult store ahead of the alleged events, saying, “I would get different sexual supplies. Lubricants, outfits.”

In one of the court-disclosed conversations from May 26, 2017, Ventura told Combs she was “too excited” about an upcoming encounter. In response, Combs encouraged her to “have fun, impress me,” a message the defense suggested was playful banter, but which Ventura characterized as coercive in context.

In addition to the messages, law enforcement officials who searched Combs’ hotel room previously discovered baby oil, lubricant and ecstasy, findings the prosecution used to support Ventura’s testimony regarding the nature of the events she described.

Witness testifies about physcal violence

The trial, which started earlier in May 2025, has also featured testimony from Dawn Richard, a former associate and member of Danity Kane, who claimed that she personally witnessed Combs acting violently toward Ventura on multiple occasions.

Richard’s statements sought to reinforce Ventura’s allegations that the relationship was clouded by an abusive imbalance of power, something Combs’ legal team denies. The defense maintains that Ventura participated willingly in the encounters and communicated affectionately and voluntarily in the messages.

Testimony also included texted arguments between the two. In one notable exchange, Ventura accused Combs of relegating her to the role of a “sidepiece,” while simultaneously professing her loyalty by stating she would treat him “like a king no matter what.”

Combs facing multiple charges

Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include trafficking women across state lines for sex, racketeering and other federal crimes connected to alleged abuse. If convicted, the charges could result in a life sentence.

The federal case against Combs stems from a broader investigation which has drawn national attention due to his prominence in the entertainment industry. Prosecutors contend that Combs established a pattern of cultivating sexual encounters involving drugs, third parties, and coercive elements.

The unsealed text messages, though graphic and at times intimate, play a crucial role in both supporting and challenging the complex narratives moving through the courtroom. Their interpretation could decide the case’s outcome.

Legal strategy courtroom emotions collide

As the trial enters its second week, legal experts suggest the case may hinge on how the jury views Ventura’s testimony against the backdrop of the messages. The prosecution has worked to show that surface-level consent does not equate to true willingness, especially under emotional and physical duress.

The defense is expected to continue leveraging the texts to discredit Ventura’s version of events, framing the messages as indicative of a voluntary and sometimes affectionate relationship between two adults.

Meanwhile, Ventura’s emotional presence in court -- paired with corroborative witness accounts and material evidence — is painting a broader picture of an allegedly toxic dynamic that went unchecked for years behind closed doors.