A rumor that circulated online in May 2025 claimed three-time Grammy-winning rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs gave testimony linking House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to drug-fueled, multiday sex marathons called "freak offs" — an alleged activity at the center of Combs' ongoing New York trial.
However, searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo found no news media outlets reporting about Combs or anyone else linking Jeffries to the music mogul's alleged activities.
The story originated in a May 14 post (archived) on stand-up comedian Jonathan Gregory's Facebook page, which features a "comedian" label in his bio, as well as the in-jest title of "Digital Content Creator for the Trump Administration." The post begins, "Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Linked to Sean 'Diddy' Combs Freak Off Party." The text later says Jeffries participated in "Communist Party Freak Offs," then in passing mentions the word "satire" — a hint to readers of the story's fictional nature. The inclusion of "@newsmax" also serves as a continuation of the comedic approach, seeing as no record of Gregory's name — or the rumor — appears anywhere on Newsmax's website.
(Jonathan Gregory/Facebook)
Many (archived) users (archived) appearing to believe (archived) the story copied and pasted Gregory's post, and discussed the story, on Facebook (archived), Instagram (archived), LinkedIn (archived), Threads (archived), TikTok (archived), X (archived), YouTube (archived) and other websites. Some of these users cited Newsmax as their source, showing how the rumor grew from a simple "@newsmax" label under Gregory's post to full credit given to the news organization.
On May 16, Gregory posted (archived), again with a touch of comedy, "God bless the incredible social influencers who have recognized the great work being highlighted on this page by the Trump Administration." He added he was "grateful" to users who shared the story "for having the courage to share the hard-hitting facts we present."
By email, a representative for Newsmax told Snopes, "To confirm, Newsmax never ran a report on this. The individual who posted this has had a habit of tagging Newsmax in his posts, when there is no relation to Newsmax regarding what he is posting. If you read the post carefully, he never even claims the network reported this. He merely tagged the network." We also contacted Jeffries' office by email to ask whether they wished to comment on this matter, as well as Gregory by Messenger to inquire whether he considers most of the stories on his Facebook page parody, satire or something else.
The fact-checking website Lead Stories also reported finding no evidence to confirm this rumor.
The made-up story about Combs and Jeffries
Gregory's story appeared in numerous online posts as follows, including with the mention of "satire" occurring in the last paragraph:
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Linked to Sean "Diddy" Combs Freak Off Party
By Jonathan Gregory| May 14, 2025WASHINGTON, D.C.- In a bizarre twist emerging from a federal investigation into illicit Hollywood gatherings, music mogul Sean "Diddy " Combs divulged shocking details about late night affairs attended by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. According to testimony, Jeffries was a recurring guest of honor at covert "Communist Party Freak Offs," themed around exaggerated communist nostalgia. These over the.top events featured actors dressed as historical revolutionaries and an unsettling array of symbolic rituals.
Sources familiar with the investigation say the parties began with theatrical, and controversial acts, including staged flag burning performances meant to lampoon Cold War hysteria. Diddy claimed Jeffries often insisted on the presence of young Hispanic male performers costumed as flamboyant versions of Fidel Castro, complete with glitter covered fatigues and choreographed cigar routines. The supposed purpose? Political catharsis masked as performance art, though critics argue it crossed every imaginable line.
An especially wild account describes a weekend long escapade where Jeffries partied for 72 hours straight, demanding increasingly elaborate pageantry. Over 40 impersonators rotated through the night as mock military parades turned into intimate dance battles. "It was like Hamilton meets Fear and Loathing in Havana," one unnamed performer said. Despite the absurdity, investigators are looking into whether any laws were broken, or if it was simply art pushed to its most chaotic edge.
Jeffries office has firmly denied all claims, dismissing them as "weaponized fiction." Yet, with Diddy Combs agreeing to a deposition and whispers of video evidence surfacing, the line between satire and scandal grows thinner by the day. As Capitol Hill braces for impact, the public is left to wonder, how much of the "Communist Party Freak Off" was a show, and how much was real?
@newsmax
The fictional story spread during Combs' trial in Manhattan federal court. In September 2024, the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York charged him with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, all centered on so-called "freak-off" parties — alleged sexual marathons involving drug use and coercion. Combs pleaded not guilty; if convicted, he faces a minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in jail.
Snopes has addressed other claims about Combs in the past, including false or unfounded rumors connecting his alleged "freak-off" parties with NBA superstar LeBron James and Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
For background, here is why we alert readers to rumors created by sources calling their output humorous or satirical.