NEW YORK, United States — Testimonies in the ongoing racketeering and sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Tuesday indicated he once took an ecstasy pill shaped like former United States (US) president Barack Obama’s face, according to a report from Reuters.

The example, shared by a former personal assistant (PA) of the billionaire, was presented by the prosecution as evidence of a lifestyle characterised by drug abuse.

According to the report, David James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, testified that Combs would often engage in drug use, from opiates during the daytime to ecstasy at night.

James said he sometimes picked up drugs for Combs and his friends. The ex-PA also revealed he often brought narcotics, lube, condoms and other items to the music executive’s hotel rooms.

The report quotes James as saying he once saw Combs take an ecstasy pill shaped like a “former president’s face”. When prosecutor Christy Slavik asked him which president, James responded, “President Obama”.

Allegations against Combs are that he forced women to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances known as “Freak Offs” over a period of 20 years, from 2004 to 2024 and used his employees to facilitate the purchase of narcotics, payment of escorts and booking of hotel rooms.

Combs has pleaded not guilty.