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Sean Diddy Combs Expected to Address Judge at Sentencing Hearing; Hamas Responds to Trump's Gaza Ceasefire Deal. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired October 03, 2025 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[15:30:00]

DOMINIC PATTEN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, DEADLINE.COM: ... actually didn't hasn't done what seems to be emerging more than anything here is that the judge has a pretty clear sense. The judge, who has been very circumspect throughout this entire case, has already said he's looking at the probation offices sentencing recommendations of 70 to 87 months as his basic core here. Maybe a little less, maybe a little more.

What we're seeing playing out here in many ways is the beginning of what will certainly be an appeal, and I think trying to fest things around the around the edges on both sides. Neither side are going to get what they want. You guys have talked about it. The defense wants 14 months time served, which basically means Diddy is out by Christmas. The prosecution want 135 months, which is basically 11 years, which is a ton.

But there's going to be -- there's going to be some jail time here. It looks like I don't get the feeling from my sources in the courtroom from my sources outside the courtroom and everyone else and having been in that courtroom. I don't think Sean Combs is walking out of jail anytime soon.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Dominic, I'm curious to get your thoughts on the claim from the prosecution that Combs scheduled this speaking engagement for next week in Miami. The defense has described it as a, I believe it was a session of healing between Combs and the community. The prosecution called that an act of hubris.

We were speaking with defense attorney Joey Jackson earlier, who was making the case that the defense is going to say that this was sort of an act of faith, that Combs was hoping for the best.

What do you make of the idea that he was trying to line some kind of event up before he was actually sentenced?

PATTEN: I'd say it was that Sean Combs is a very optimistic person -- which may or may not be to his detriment. I would also say that he is already planning a comeback. We certainly saw in his letter to the judge yesterday where he talked about the work he had done in prison, how he had been asked by inmates to provide a what I guess is essentially a life coach motivational course for them. What have you.

I think that that's the way he's trying to re-personify himself. The days of the unabashed flouting of wealth and privilege I think is gone. I think he wants to see himself or give us the impression of himself as a man who's learned his lesson moving forward.

But I do feel that, again, like with that letter, like with the very slick and I would say ill-considered 11-minute video the defense presented, it's like they don't quite know how to read the room because these are not landing well. As you've heard from other guests, as we've heard from inside the courtroom, it's making it sound like they think they're living in a very different world where the self- admitted domestic violence and alleged sexual abuse and much more didn't really happen.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: Real quick, why'd you dislike the video and think it was a bad idea, Dominic?

PATTEN: Well, two reasons, Brianna. I'd say one thing, I think it's completely inappropriate to send something like that out and giving a very, very distinct point of view of who you are. But more importantly, the people who are in that courtroom have been in that courtroom for weeks and months this year. They know what this is about.

No one's going to be re convinced of like, Oh my God, you know, Brianna. I thought he was going to go to jail for six years, but now I saw this video and he really likes playing with his kids. We should let him out. I just think it was a bad move. And then if the prosecution overreached with RICO, I think the defense overreached with these videos.

KEILAR: All right, Dominic Patten, thank you so much and we're back with more on Sean Diddy comes a sentencing after the break.

[15:35:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: We are monitoring developments in the sentencing hearing of Sean Diddy Combs, which is happening right now in Manhattan.

SANCHEZ: Combs is expected to address the court on his own behalf as he looks for leniency from the judge following his two felony convictions.

CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson, former Miami-Dade County Court Judge Jeff Swartz are back with us. Also with us, executive editor for deadline.com, Dominic Patten. Thank you so much for sticking around with us.

Jeff, as a former judge, Have you ever seen a sentencing like this, not only the length of it, but the extent of what we've heard from Combs, the 11-minute video that was played, his kids, several defense attorneys? It's a lot.

JEFF SWARTZ, FORMER MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT JUDGE: It is a lot. And I will tell you that the only place I've ever seen this type of effort made is where someone's facing the death penalty. Then you pull out all the stops you bring in the parents, you bring in the brother and sister. You bring in the family. You talk about every problem that that person has had for the entirety of their life and every trauma they've gone through.

But I've never seen -- I've never seen like this in a federal case, which is to me a pretty simplified manner. For them to do what they want to do, they don't need to put on this kind of show to get their point across. In fact, in some ways they may be hurting themselves with all of this stuff that they're adding in, or none of it seems to have any credibility when you do that.

KEILAR: Yes, and Joey, the one -- a different defense attorney than one that we've been talking about now, saying three different doctors have diagnosed Holmes with PTSD. He's been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, anxiety disorder. What do you make of that?

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: So I make a lot of that. I think that we have to recognize, Brianna and Boris, that today is different. And let's understand something very clearly. This was not a case unlike -- this was a case unlike any other. First of all, it's a case where he was charged with racketeering for which he was acquitted when we've seen mob bosses charged with that, not him.

[15:40:00]

The government went at him with all their might, attempting to bankrupt him, he could have actually been subject to asset forfeiture, in which he lost it all. So they were all in, that is the government with respect to taking everything from him, including his liberty and his money.

And so here is a different than a trial, for example, where the defense doesn't have to call any witnesses. Here they do. Why? They have to call witnesses, including the ones that potentially you talked about or asked, say, hey, judge, they're available if you want to speak to them, because a judge has to evaluate the nature and characteristics and past history of a defendant. That's complicated. What was the defendant like?

Now, from a prosecution perspective, the prosecution will tell you he's a manipulator, he's an abuser, he's not to be trusted, he's a liar, and all of those things which would suggest that he was just a bad person. The defense has to counteract that to give it more balance. And so today, as today that they have to, that is put on the show for the judge who gets it. It's not a jury, it's a judge. They've been there, they've done that.

But at the same time, if you're going to consider your honor punishment, if you're going to consider deterrence, if you're going to consider rehabilitation, let me show you the whole person, not just the one you saw during trial. And that's why I think while it may be different today, this we have to keep in mind was a different case, a different circumstance. And I think what they're doing needs to be done in light of the circumstances and the gravity and enormity of what he's facing and the disparate sentences, 11 years from the prosecution, 14 years -- 14, excuse me, months from the defense. That has to be balanced and weighed. They're doing the best to have the judge do so.

SANCHEZ: Dominic, as you hear Joey lay out this show that the defense has to put on for the judge, one that, as Joey said, he's likely seen before, it strikes me that this is not just an average person going up for sentencing, right? The judge perhaps Isn't just aware of everything that was said and and shown in court, but also Combs career over the last 40 years where he funded a record label called Bad Boy Records and openly flouted for decades that the rules didn't apply to him, that he was beyond the rules.

How much of Combs life as a public figure do you think weighs on what the outcome is today?

PATTEN: I think a great part, Boris. I think we've seen this come up before in this trial where the judge refused bail on several occasions as well as just this week, a new trial and acquittal. Sean Combs' past behavior, allegations of his past behavior, stuff that he has admitted to in his past behavior.

Remember several years ago there was gunplay in a Times Square nightclub. There's been many cases here. Sean Combs has played very strong the the gangster card when it's convenient for him and I say this is a lifelong fan of hip hop.

I think here that what we're seeing is playing out scenarios more than anything, and I think both the judge and Joey make excellent points. But I think more than anything here, this is a pageant. It's a pageant for the appeal. They're looking at constitutional rights violations that they feel the judge is allowed in by allowing certain members like. Cassie Ventura, the male escorts, others to be declared as victims, etcetera, etcetera. I think that this has been playing out like this and the way it's going to play out.

We know how this is going to end for the most part. The judge has given it away earlier today as we spoke about earlier today, he said he's looking at the probation office recommendations of 70 to 87 months, so 6 years give or take. So we know where this is going unless someone pulls a rabbit out of a hat. And I don't think either side are. So the question is, where does it go next? And that's the show we're seeing today.

KEILAR: All right, everyone, stand by for us. Prosecutors are giving a rebuttal now. You see on the left side of your screen just the latest that the defense has said. Prosecutors have now picked it up. And then Combs will be next, so stay with us for that. We're waiting for Sean Diddy Combs to address the court before the judge delivers his sentence. We're covering this story, as only CNN can, with many people in the courtroom. We'll be right back.

[15:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.

KEILAR: And we do have breaking news here. Hamas has just responded to President Trump's proposal to end fighting in Gaza. Our reporters in the Middle East are getting some more information now. We're going to bring that to you as soon as we do learn some new details, but this is very interesting.

SANCHEZ: It is significant, given that the president had laid out on Monday a desire to hear from Hamas regarding this 20 point plan that he unveiled alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said a day after the announcement that he would give Hamas three to four days to respond. And then today he actually put out a statement saying that if the group doesn't agree to the proposal 6 p.m. on Sunday, quote, all hell like no one has ever seen before will break out.

A Hamas official told CNN that a response would be coming soon. That was earlier today. There have been some issues also communicating with Hamas and the military leadership inside of Gaza. But apparently now there is a response, and we're working to find out exactly what it entails.

KEILAR: Yes, and we do have Kristen Holmes at the White House. Kristen, I think a lot of people looking at this head. In fact, one of the experts we talked to described what Trump was proposing as a surrender for Hamas. The things that are in this proposal are not things that Hamas is going to look on kindly, even though Hamas is facing a lot of pressure from countries in the region who may have some sway with Hamas, what are you hearing?

[15:50:00]

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Look, we're waiting to hear what the White House thinks of this plan. We know right now that it's in the hands of mediators, but how the White House responds is going to be directly correlated to what is in this response from Hamas.

We have heard the same thing you have, obviously, these experts saying this seems like it's going to be a no-go for Hamas, but this is really starting to become clearly the White House and President Trump's red line. We heard on Monday when President Trump sat down with Benjamin Netanyahu essentially saying that if Hamas does not agree this plan that the White House would fully back -- and the United States would fully back whatever Netanyahu decided to do.

Netanyahu saying that if Hamas doesn't agree, they're going to finish what they started, essentially saying we could do this the easy way or the hard way.

Now, one thing to keep in mind here, President Trump setting this deadline today of 6 p.m. on Sunday. This is obviously well before that 6 p.m. on Sunday deadline. So whether or not that plays into what Hamas is doing, does that mean that Hamas is trying to come back with any kind of negotiating on the table to meet that deadline, unclear at this point.

But of course, it does show that they're not butting up against that deadline, waiting for it to happen. As we've seen, President Trump saying essentially, hell will break loose in Gaza if this is -- if Hamas does not agree or if they do not meet this deadline. So now, of course, we know that they have met the deadline.

And one thing to keep in mind here is we have heard from the White House there have been a lot of conversations going on. It is with mediators within the administration, mediators of other countries. And this plan was so far, as much as we can tell from the conversations with the White House, they believe this is the only thing that they can get done. This was the most that they could get agreed upon from Israel, getting the buy in of those other Middle Eastern countries.

But whether or not it's good enough for Hamas, obviously it doesn't sound from what we heard like they were going to agree point blank to this 20 point plan but unclear at this moment.

KEILAR: All right, Kristen Holmes at the White House, thank you so much for that report.

We are going to get in a quick break as we are awaiting Sean Combs addressing the court in Manhattan during his sentencing hearing. We'll be right back.

[15:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: At any moment, we are anticipating that Sean Diddy Combs will address the judge who is overseeing his sentencing hearing. The rap mogul is facing years behind bars. We've got our panel back with us.

And Joey, I wonder, as Combs is expected to speak imminently in court, if you were advising him, what would you tell him he should say?

JACKSON: Yes, Boris, I think there's three things he has to cover very clearly. I think the first thing is he has to be contrite. He has to demonstrate that remorse that is so important and recognize the impact that his conduct had -- has.

The second thing is, is that I think he needs to be accountable. It's not about anybody else but you and what you did and the impact of what your conduct was. Be clear about that.

And number three, rehabilitation. What have you done in jail to make yourself better? What will you do when you get out of jail to continue to make yourself better? Cover those three points in a manner that shows that he gets it, and I think he will have done what I would believe would be important to convey to the judge that the judge should favor the sentence that he wants to impose.

KEILAR: Judge Swartz. What might impact a judge to hear?

SWARTZ: I think what the judge needs to hear is what is necessary under the sentencing guidelines, and that is a true acceptance of responsibility. Any attempt to met to mitigate what he has done or any attempt to blame other people is going to be a real problem for him. I think that trying to make himself into a victim is also a big mistake. I think that he's got to be humble, and he also has to be brief. I don't think he can filibuster this situation.

SANCHEZ: Dominic, I wonder what you make of this as a cultural moment, given that there's an enormous crowd outside the courthouse awaiting an answer, and for Sean Combs, what it means for him to be in this position.

PATTEN: Well, America loves a spectacle, Boris, but I think Sean Combs, we've all seen over his career, has been a master pitchman for himself, for the culture, and what have you. So today, I think he needs to say sorry, say sorry again, and keep saying sorry as much as he can. As both Joey and the judge said, he needs to prove that he knows what he did, he accepts responsibility, and he is contrite. Anything else, I think will fall flat in the room.

KEILAR: Joey, up until this moment, I mean, we didn't hear from him in court, right? Which is not unusual, I think, in a case like this to not hear from the defendant. But he's kind of coming in late to the game, right, on the messaging. How impactful is that?

JACKSON: So what happens is, at a trial, remember, Brianna and Boris, you have an absolute right to, again, self-incrimination. You do not have to testify. I think the imperatives at a trial, the imperatives at a sentencing, are different. We did hear from him at trial, not through his testimony, but certainly through the video, through things that were admitted in terms of audio, et cetera, but not with respect to him.

Today, in the event that he owns it and demonstrates the judge that he does, I think it has a far different impact, and I think I would expect for him to do exactly that. It's about you and what your conduct has done, and it's about you being a role model and living a better life moving forward. Get that message out, and you have a much better chance than not of doing well in the judge's eyes.

SANCHEZ: Last word to you, Judge Swartz. What are you expecting is going to come?

[16:00:00]

SWARTZ: I think pretty close to what the recommendation of the probation officer is probably where we're going to be. I don't think that he -- the judge wants to set himself up for an appeal by departing upwards from that recommendation, even though it may still be in the guidelines range. I don't think he wants to go down. I think there truly is an issue of accepting responsibility and punishment here. It's not about rehabilitation. It will be about punishment. And I think somewhere in the six or seven-year range is where it's going to end up.

KEILAR: Thank you so much to our panel. As we're waiting any moment now to hear from Sean Combs in his sentencing hearing.

"THE ARENA" with Kasie Hunt starts right now.

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