Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team claims that CNN has destroyed the only copy of a video of the rapper seemingly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura.

The rapper's defense team made the shocking claim in new court documents, as they accused the news outlet of altering the video and getting rid of it.

Last year, Sean "Diddy" Combs came under fire after CNN dropped a short clip of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend at a hotel in Los Angeles.

Diddy's Defense Team Claims CNN Has Destroyed The 'Original' Video Of The Rapper Assaulting Cassie

In the new court documents obtained by TMZ, the rapper's team alleged that CNN bought the sole video tape containing evidence of Diddy's alleged assault of Cassie.

Their argument is that the news outlet destroyed the clip after posting an altered version of it online to paint Diddy in a bad light.

The rapper's team and prosecutors filed a joint letter about evidence in his federal case, in which Diddy's team made the bombshell allegations against CNN.

The letter reads, "CNN purchased the only known copy of the Hotel's surveillance footage, uploaded that footage into a free editing software, altered the video and then destroyed the original footage, even though it knew about and repeatedly reported about the federal investigation."

Diddy's defense team further accused CNN of "covering the time stamp and then changing the video sequence. It also includes speeding up the video to make it falsely appear that the actions in the video are taking place faster than they are. As a result, the CNN videos do not fairly and accurately depict the events in question."

The Rapper's Lawyers Want The Video Excluded From His Upcoming Trial

A 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN shows Sean "Diddy" Combs violently grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura during an altercation in a hotel in California. https://t.co/qgD40mRPtQ pic.twitter.com/1u7qJgn3mC

The building where the alleged assault incident was recorded, the InterContinental Hotel, has reportedly shut down in the Los Angeles area where it took place.

No other unaltered copies of the recording exist, as per TMZ. Now, Diddy's team has revealed they plan to file a motion to exclude the video from his upcoming May trial.

While Diddy is not being sued for his actions in the viral video clip, prosecutors reportedly wanted to present as proof in court of the rapper's alleged violent behavior.

It is also worth noting that the video may never be shown in court due to it being significantly edited, and a judge would normally insist on seeing raw and unaltered footage as evidence.

Diddy Described The Beating Of Cassie As A 'Domestic Dispute'

In November 2024, Diddy's lawyers filed court documents in which they attempted to explain away some of the violent acts depicted in the video.

In one scene, Diddy was seen dragging Cassie down the hallway back to their hotel room after she tried to leave via the elevator.

Surprisingly, the rapper claimed that he didn't "drag" Cassie down the hall, contrary to what was shown in the video.

A different scene in the video also showed a half-naked Diddy throwing a vase across the room, with Cassie likely being the intended target. The rapper also denied this and claimed that he only threw the contents of the vase at Cassie.

Diddy mentioned that the incident did not align with the federal prosecutors' claims of sex trafficking or forced sex.

He said that the altercation was simply a "sad glimpse into a decade-long consensual relationship" and described it as just a "domestic dispute."

The rapper is currently being held in jail after his arrest on September 16, 2024, on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Diddy Apologized For The Brutal Assault Clip In A Since-Deleted Post On Instagram

Days after the Cassie assault video went viral on social media, Diddy took to his Instagram page to issue an apology for his actions in the clip, while notably not mentioning his ex-girlfriend's name.

In the since-deleted apology video, Diddy talked about hitting rock bottom at the time of his assault on Cassie, noting that he was "f-cked" up at the time.

The rapper said, "It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f-cked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses. My behavior [in] that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I'm disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I'm disgusted now."

He continued, "I went, and I sought out professional help. Had to go into therapy. Had to go into rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry. But I'm committed to [being] a better man each and every day. And I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm truly sorry."

Cassie's Lawyer Slammed The Rapper's Apology As 'Disingenuous'

When Diddy shared his apology video, he was met with backlash from several individuals on social media.

Many noted that prior to the release of the assault video, the rapper was vocal about his innocence when Cassie and several other women came forward with abuse allegations against him.

Cassie's lawyer, Meredith Firetog, notably made a statement on his apology, calling Diddy's words "disingenuous."

She said, "Combs' most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday."

Firetog added, "That he was only compelled to 'apologize' once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words."