Howard University returned a number of gifts it received from rapper Sean Combs, also known as Diddy and Puff Daddy, citing his “interpersonal violence.”
The historically black university’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Friday to take back his honorary degree, terminate Comb’s 2016 gift agreement, disband the scholarship program in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation when he promised to donate another $1 million. According to a Howard spokesperson, no payments related to the 2023 pledge were ever made and thus did not need to be returned.
“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,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.”
Howard students sign a pledge upon enrollment that includes a promise to “commit to ending sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence within the University community.”
Combs offered an apology on Instagram just one day after the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that the 2016 assault, while caught on tape, “occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.” The rapper claimed he took “full responsibility” for the incident.
Combs claimed he has since sought professional help, therapy, and rehabilitation. Last year, he settled a lawsuit with his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura over her allegations of abuse and rape over the course of 10 years. Shortly after the settlement, Combs took to X to proclaim, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.” That post now has a community note to correct the record and include a link to the footage.
In March, the rapper’s house was raided by the FBI, and though he has not been arrested or charged yet, Former NYPD Detective Derrick Parker also told NewsNation an investigation into him is active.
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The Washington Examiner reached Combs for comment.
Howard University reported an endowment of $865.3 million last year before returning its gifts from Combs. It has a goal of reaching $1 billion by 2024.