NBCUniversal pushed back on Diddy’s $100 million lawsuit, arguing his conviction and legal troubles are proof they did not defame him.
Diddy is facing a legal counterpunch from NBCUniversal, which has asked a judge to throw out his $100 million defamation lawsuit over a documentary that the network argues is protected by free speech and rooted in public interest.
The media giant, along with Peacock TV and Ample Entertainment, filed a motion to dismiss Diddy’s complaint, asserting that the documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy neither defamed him nor caused new damage to his public image.
The film aired on Peacock in January 2025 and includes commentary on Diddy’s upbringing, career, and a series of lawsuits and criminal charges that have engulfed him in recent years.
Diddy filed the massive suit earlier this year, claiming the documentary falsely portrayed him as a violent predator and criminal mastermind.
His legal team argues the documentary “shamelessly promotes conspiracy theories” and portrays him as an incarnation of “Lucifer,” comparing him to Jeffrey Epstein.
NBC contends the film simply reflects a broader conversation already unfolding in the media.
NBC’s legal filing argues that Diddy’s reputation was already under intense scrutiny before the documentary aired and his July 2025 conviction on prostitution-related charges did nothing to help his arguments, not to mention the hundreds of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and abuse.
The lawsuit also takes issue with segments referencing the deaths of Diddy’s former partner Kimberly Porter and rappers Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace and Heavy D.
NBC says the film did not accuse Diddy of murder but instead explored public speculation and theories, many of which had already circulated through national outlets.
The network states that those statements originated from interviewees and were not endorsed by the producers.
NBC’s defense mirrors the argument made by attorney Ariel Mitchell, who is also seeking dismissal of a separate $50 million defamation suit filed by Diddy.
Mitchell appeared on Newsmax with a client who claimed to possess flash drives showing Diddy with minors. Mitchell argues that Diddy’s reputation had already been “irreparably damaged” by his criminal case. Like Mitchell, NBC wants the judge to dismiss the case.
Diddy remains in custody while awaiting sentencing on October 3 after he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
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