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In November of 2023, R&B singer Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, made multiple shocking allegations of abuse against her former partner Sean “Diddy” Combs, whom she met in 2005—when she was 19 years old and he was 36—and with whom she was entangled until the end of their relationship in 2018. In a federal lawsuit, Cassie accused Combs of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and rape. Combs denied the claims and settled with Cassie the following day.
On Friday, May 17, CNN published video that shows Combs striking, kicking, and dragging his then girlfriend Cassie during an altercation that is consistent with one she presents in the now settled suit. The surveillance footage, assembled from multiple camera angles and dated March 5, 2016, occurred at the now closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. CNN has reached out to representatives for Combs, who has not been criminally charge, and InterContinental Hotels for comment. Combs did not immediately respond to Vanity Fair’s request for comment.
A representative for Cassie declined comment on the footage to CNN, but her attorney Douglas H. Wigdor, said in a statement to the news outlet: “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
In the video, Cassie walks down a hotel hall to a bank of elevators, and Combs, holding a towel around his waist, chases after her. He then grabs her by the back of the neck, throws her to the floor, and kicks her twice, before dragging her for a few feet. Later, Combs is seen lifting an object off a table and appears to throw it in Cassie’s direction.
Since November, Combs has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple defendants in five other civil lawsuits. He has denied the accusations, calling them “sickening allegations” from people seeking “a quick payday.” In March, federal agents raided Combs’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida. His lawyers called the operations a “gross overuse of military-level force” and maintained that it was born of “nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations.”
Cover Star Chris Hemsworth on Fear, Love, and Escaping Hollywood
The internet’s resident amphibian is back in the spotlight, but this time Pepe the Frog isn’t gracing troll forums – he’s maneuvering his way to the top of the cryptocurrency charts. PEPE, the meme coin named after the internet legend, is experiencing a historic surge, fueled by a potent mix of nostalgia and retail investor fervor.
From Backwater To Bullfrog: PEPE’s Rise
PEPE’s recent ascent is nothing short of meteoric. Trading volume has skyrocketed by an impressive 300% in the past 24 hours, with the price reaching an all-time high. This dramatic rise coincides with a resurgence in Gamestop (GME) stock, leading many to believe that the retail investor army of 2021 is back for round two, armed with meme coins as their weapon of choice.
The return of Keith Gill, better known online as “Roaring Kitty,” has acted as a rallying cry for these digital warriors. Gill’s surprise post on his dormant Reddit account sent shockwaves through the market, reigniting the nostalgic flames of the original Gamestop saga. Analysts suggest this nostalgia has spilled over into the crypto market, sparking a full-blown meme coin craze.
PEPE, already experiencing a steady climb since mid-April, has emerged as the unlikely champion of this digital meme menagerie.
Whales Take A Dip In The Pepe Pond
It’s not just the small-time investors driving the PEPE surge. Big money, or “whales” in crypto speak, are also diving headfirst into the frenzy. On-chain data reveals a whale recently splashing out a cool 1.86 million USDC for a whopping 195 billion PEPE tokens. Another whale scooped up a hefty 406 million PEPE, further propelling the price upwards.
While PEPE’s current trajectory is a dream come true for early adopters, a cautionary tale lurks beneath the frothy surface. Meme coins are notorious for their wild volatility. Their value is often built on hype and fleeting internet trends, not robust financial fundamentals. This means a sudden shift in sentiment could trigger a dramatic price crash, leaving investors holding the Pepe bag.
Furthermore, PEPE is a relatively new player in the crypto game, with an uncertain future. Unlike established cryptocurrencies, PEPE lacks a proven track record. Its long-term viability remains a question mark.
Featured image from @GameStopPepe/X, chart from TradingView
Christian is a journalist, editor and a former layout design consultant. Alongside his passion for writing, he is an avid fan of cryptocurrency and works tirelessly throughout the week. When he’s not on his computer, you can find him tinkering with his old motorbike as a grease monkey, or lounging on the patio hammock while pondering about artificial intelligence and whether he’ll ever understand his cat’s thoughts and calmness.
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