Howard University Revokes Honorary Degree from Sean Combs After Assault Allegations Surface

Los Angeles, California United States of America
Combs is currently under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York for alleged sex trafficking.
Combs issued an apology for his behavior on Instagram but Howard University deemed his actions as fundamentally incompatible with its core values and beliefs.
Howard University revoked an honorary degree granted to Sean Combs in 2014 after video footage surfaced of him assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in 2016.
The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to rescind the degree and terminated a $1 million gift agreement with Combs' foundation.
Howard University Revokes Honorary Degree from Sean Combs After Assault Allegations Surface

Howard University, a prestigious educational institution in Washington D.C., has taken the unprecedented step of revoking an honorary degree granted to renowned music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2014. The decision comes after video footage surfaced showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. The university's Board of Trustees unanimously voted to rescind the degree and disband a scholarship and terminated a $1 million gift agreement with Combs' foundation.

The video footage obtained by CNN shows Combs chasing, kicking, dragging, and hurling a glass vase at Ventura. The altercation took place on March 5, 2016, and matches allegations made in her lawsuit filed in November of the same year. The lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed with both parties stating they mutually decided to resolve matters amicably.

Combs issued an apology for his behavior on Instagram, admitting that he sought professional help and was committed to being a better man each day. However, Howard University deemed Combs' actions as fundamentally incompatible with its core values and beliefs.

The university's decision is the latest setback for Combs who is currently under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York for alleged sex trafficking. In November 2023, three women accused him of rape, assault, and other abuses dating back three decades. Combs has denied all allegations and vowed to clear his name.

The incident at Howard University is not the first time Combs has been embroiled in controversy regarding interpersonal violence. In 1999, he was charged with bribery for attempting to buy weapons from an undercover police officer. He was later acquitted of the charges.

Howard University's decision to rescind Combs' honorary degree is a significant statement against interpersonal violence and sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated on its campus or in its community.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • It's unclear if Combs has been charged or indicted in connection with the sex trafficking investigation.
  • The lawsuit was settled amicably, but there is no information on the terms of the settlement.

Sources

77%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Howard University severs ties with Sean 'Diddy' Combs, ending his $1 million pledge

NBC News Digital Saturday, 08 June 2024 03:15
  • Unique Points
    • Howard University severed ties with Sean 'Diddy' Combs due to assault on ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016
    • Board of Trustees disbanded a scholarship, terminated $1 million gift agreement and accepted return of honorary degree conferred in 2014
    • Video showing Combs assaulting Cassie was a factor in Howard University’s decision
  • Accuracy
    • Combs denied all sexual assault allegations and vowed to clear his name
    • Cassie alleged rape and physical abuse over the course of their relationship, settlement was 'in no way an admission of wrongdoing'
    • Federal investigation and numerous civil lawsuits against Combs for sexual assault allegations are ongoing
  • Deception (0%)
    The article contains editorializing and sensationalism. The author uses phrases like 'severs ties', 'disband a scholarship', 'terminate a gift agreement', and 'accept the return of his honorary degree'. These phrases are not neutral descriptions but rather attempts to make the situation seem more dramatic than it may be. Additionally, the article mentions that six women have detailed assault allegations against Combs in lawsuits, but only one of these lawsuits has been settled. The author's failure to disclose this information is an example of selective reporting.
    • The Howard University Board of Trustees moved to disband a scholarship in Combs’ name
    • 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.
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article reports on Howard University's decision to sever ties with Sean Combs following the release of a video depicting him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016. The author does not commit any logical fallacies in their reporting of the events. However, they do mention that six women have made assault allegations against Combs, which is an example of an appeal to authority if presented as evidence of guilt without further context.
    • six women have detailed assault allegations against Combs
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

55%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Howard University rescinds Sean 'Diddy' Combs' degree after video of assault surfaces

USA Today Minnah Arshad Friday, 07 June 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Howard University rescinded an honorary degree presented in 2014 to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs after a video surfaced showing him assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
    • The university also terminated a scholarship program, ended a pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation, and returned Combs $1 million contribution.
  • Accuracy
    • Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied all sexual assault allegations and vowed to clear his name
    • Cassie alleged rape and physical abuse over the course of their relationship, settlement was 'in no way an admission of wrongdoing'
    • Combs is facing multiple lawsuits alleging rape or sexual assault over the past few decades
    • Federal investigation and numerous civil lawsuits against Combs for sexual assault allegations are ongoing
  • Deception (0%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of Combs being a violent individual. The article also uses emotional manipulation by describing the assault in graphic detail and implying moral superiority on the part of Howard University for rescinding Combs' degree. Lastly, there is sensationalism through the use of strong language such as 'slew of lawsuits', 'sex trafficking investigation', and 'ongoing sex trafficking investigation in New York'.
    • The university’s announcement comes after a video from 2016 was released last month that showed Combs striking and dragging his girlfriend at the time.
    • Combs catches up with Ventura before the elevator comes, striking and yanking her by the hair and throwing her to the ground, the video shows. He then kicks Ventura twice while she is on the floor, picking up her bag and dragging her back toward the hotel rooms.
    • The incident matched an allegation levied in Ventura’s November sex trafficking, rape and physical abuse lawsuit against the hip hop mogul.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting a Howard University spokesperson. This is not a fallacy as the spokesperson's statement is relevant information and does not necessarily imply endorsement or agreement with the statement by the author. However, since this is the only example of an appeal to authority in the article, and there are other issues present, I cannot give a score higher than 85.
    • ]A Howard spokesperson said on behalf of the board.[/
  • Bias (0%)
    The author Minnah Arshad demonstrates a clear bias against Sean Combs by reporting on his past assault allegations and the university's decision to rescind his degree. She also uses language that depicts Combs as extreme or unreasonable by describing him as a 'rapist,' 'sexual assaulter,' and someone who has faced 'a slew of lawsuits alleging he raped or sexually assaulted multiple women over the past few decades.'
    • Combs, 54, has faced a slew of lawsuits in recent months alleging he raped or sexually assaulted multiple women over the past few decades.
      • He is also accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a model in 2003.
        • The university's announcement comes after a video from 2016 was released last month that showed Combs striking and dragging his girlfriend at the time.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        92%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Howard University Retracts Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Honorary Degree

        Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Thania Garcia Saturday, 08 June 2024 03:17
        • Unique Points
          • Howard University's Board of Trustees unanimously voted to revoke Sean Combs’ honorary degree due to his admission of physically abusing his then-girlfriend, Cassie.
          • The video showing Combs physically abusing Cassie was taken on March 5, 2016 and matches allegations made in her lawsuit filed in November.
          • Howard University has requested the return of the honorary degree conferred upon Combs in 2014 and has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients.
          • Combs was a student at Howard from 1987 to 1989. The university will further terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
          • Cassie and Combs settled the November lawsuit the day after she filed it, with both parties stating they mutually decided to resolve matters amicably.
          • Combs apologized for his behavior in the video on Instagram, admitting that he sought professional help and was committed to being a better man each day.
        • Accuracy
          • Combs denied all sexual assault allegations and vowed to clear his name
          • Cassie alleged rape and physical abuse over the course of their relationship, settlement was 'in no way an admission of wrongdoing'
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting the statement from Howard University's Board of Trustees. This does not constitute a fallacy on its own as it is a valid way to support an argument. However, since the article primarily consists of this quote and does not provide any analysis or additional context, the score is reduced accordingly.
          • The Howard University 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 University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        83%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Howard University rescinds Diddy's honorary degree after Cassie video

        The Los Angeles Times Richard Winton Saturday, 08 June 2024 02:51
        • Unique Points
          • Howard University trustees voted to rescind an honorary degree granted to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2014.
          • Trustees also disbanded a scholarship and terminated a gift agreement with Combs’ foundation.
          • In the video obtained by CNN, Combs is seen attacking Cassandra Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (50%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The author makes an appeal to authority by stating that Howard University has rescinded Diddy's honorary degree and disbanded a scholarship in his name. However, this does not constitute a logical fallacy as it is a factual statement. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Diddy's behavior as 'inexusable' and 'disgusting'. This does not necessarily imply a logical fallacy, but it can be seen as an attempt to sway the reader's emotions.
          • ]The university is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.[
        • Bias (80%)
          The author expresses disapproval of Diddy's behavior towards Cassie Ventura and the university's decision to rescind his honorary degree. This can be considered as a form of moral bias.
          • > 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 university said the vote ‘to accept the return … of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014’ was unanimous.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication