Donald Trump Jr. has sparked controversy by suggesting that recent celebrity endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris are linked to alleged blackmail tied to Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is facing multiple legal battles over alleged involvement in sex trafficking and other charges. In an online rant on October 29, Trump Jr. hinted at a conspiracy theory, alleging that celebrities endorsing Harris are doing so out of coercion, supposedly because of their connections to Diddy's infamous "party list" or to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In a video posted just days before the election, Trump Jr. questioned the motivations of prominent stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift who have endorsed Harris, arguing, "The celebrities who aren't getting paid are probably being paid in another way because they're either on an Epstein list or a Diddy party list or both." This rhetoric builds on Trump Jr.'s recent criticisms of celebrity endorsements for Democratic candidates, which he claims are coordinated or coerced efforts.
Trump Jr. suggested that Diddy's September arrest might have been a tool for Harris to leverage celebrity support. He questioned, "Why would anyone, even a liberal celebrity, endorse Kamala Harris? Well, one reason is because we're seeing unprecedented amounts of pay-for-play." Trump Jr.'s claims center on a longstanding rumor about Diddy's exclusive parties in the early 2000s, alleging that attendees-prominent actors, musicians, and other public figures-might have been "trapped" into offering political endorsements due to potential incriminating evidence gathered during these events.
The former president's son further argued that Diddy's arrest might have spurred these endorsements. "Magically, Diddy gets busted, and all of a sudden everyone's endorsing the Democrat just out of nowhere," he said, insinuating that political alliances are being shaped by covert pressure rather than genuine support.
Diddy was arrested in September following an investigation that included searches of his properties in Miami and Los Angeles. He faces multiple allegations, including claims by former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who filed a lawsuit last year accusing him of rape, assault, and other abuses spanning a decade. The lawsuit also mentioned alleged "freak-off" parties, where Ventura claims she was forced to participate under duress. Diddy denies all charges and has stated that the accusations are unfounded.
Supporters of Kamala Harris and others on social media pushed back against Trump Jr.'s assertions, accusing him of hypocrisy, given his father's alleged connections to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Some users highlighted that Donald Trump himself was photographed with both Epstein and Diddy, questioning the Trump family's own proximity to high-profile controversies.
Social media reactions pointed out the irony in Trump Jr.'s comments. "Your dad frequently went to Epstein Island," one user posted, while others questioned the rationale behind his allegations. "If you were at Jeffrey Epstein's parties, you should not be running for President," another user commented, referencing Donald Trump's reported associations with Epstein.
Meanwhile, a doctored image showing Kamala Harris with Diddy circulated on Truth Social, the platform owned by Donald Trump. The image, debunked by fact-checkers, actually featured Harris alongside former talk show host Montel Williams, but had been edited to include Diddy. Trump deleted the post soon after.
Harris, who has received endorsements from high-profile stars including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and Oprah Winfrey, among others, has focused much of her campaign on social and women's issues. Trump Jr. criticized these endorsements, suggesting they stem from a coercive network rather than genuine support.
The origin of the "Diddy list" theory dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Diddy hosted high-profile "White Parties," with a strict dress code and numerous celebrity attendees. However, no credible evidence has surfaced linking these gatherings to illicit activities or blackmail schemes. The events were generally seen as glamorous occasions attended by actors, musicians, and influential figures, including Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé.
Adding fuel to the rumors, Trump Jr. referenced the "Epstein list," a phrase used to denote the guest logs from Epstein's infamous parties and flight manifests. Although Epstein's address books and flight logs have been publicly scrutinized, they contain names of individuals across various sectors, with no evidence that all invitees were involved in criminal activity.
Trump Jr.'s conspiracy comments come at a time when celebrity endorsements in politics are scrutinized. Critics argue that endorsements are often dismissed as mere publicity stunts, yet their potential to influence voters remains significant. Research has shown that celebrity support can sway public opinion, especially among younger demographics.
For Harris, endorsements from pop culture icons are part of a larger campaign strategy that aims to highlight her positions on issues like reproductive rights, economic equity, and social justice. Taylor Swift, in her endorsement, praised Harris as a "steady-handed, gifted leader" and urged her followers to vote to uphold women's rights.
