"He single handedly ruined his own legacy"— Internet reacts as Howard University strips Diddy of his honorary degree

Howard University has stripped Sean 'Diddy' Combs of his honorary degree. On Friday, June 7, 2024, the university newspaper The Hilltop reported that the school's Board of Trustees unanimously voted to revoke his degree and "all honors and privileges associated with the degree." This also ends a scholarship under the musician's name.

The news comes just weeks after a 2016 surveillance video showing the rapper physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura surfaced. Per the university's announcement:

"Mr. Combs’ behavior, as captured in a recently released video, is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor."

As news of Howard University withdrawing Diddy's degree circulated online, internet users were quick to react. One called out the I'll Be Missing You rapper, stating he destroyed his own legacy.

A comment reacting to the news (Image via Instagram/ @theshaderoom)

Some remarked that granting honorary degrees did not make sense. Others pointed out that it was unfair for students' scholarships to be cancelled. Here are some comments seen under @shaderoom's post about the development:

"Damn you know it’s bad when they stop taking your money," commented one user.

"I ain’t gonna lie if I was eligible for the grant or scholarship from him and they did this I would be pissed unless they gonna pay it for me!" pointed out another.

"I don’t even see any reason why universities should be giving honorary degrees..when people actually hard to get that same degree," added another.

There were some who commended Howard University for cutting off the record producer.

"I think this was the right move by the University to maintain its integrity," wrote Armand Hamouth.

"He’s about to lose a lot more than that," another weighed in.

"He's his own albatross," added another.

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Howard University conferred the honorary degree on Diddy in 2014

In 2014, Howard University awarded Diddy an honorary degree. The university's statement also added that they decided to "terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Mr. Combs, disband the scholarship program in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation."

The statement noted that since no payments were made towards the 2023 pledge, no funds were due to be returned.

Last November, Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing the rapper of years of s*xual abuse and violence. While Cassie's lawsuit was settled within a day, several other complaints were filed against him, making similar accusations. Puff Diddy denied all allegations, stating those making them were "looking for a quick payday."

However, in May 2024, CNN released security footage showing the R&B singer beating and dragging Cassie at a hotel in Los Angeles. Diddy later took to his Instagram to apologize for his actions, adding that he was getting help.

"I was disgusted when I did it. I'm disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry," Combs said in his statement.

In addition to losing his honorary degree, Diddy was forced to temporarily step down from his position as chairman of Revolt, an entertainment and media company he founded last year. However, by June 2024, he had sold off his majority stake in the company.

The rapper has not released any statements about losing his honorary degree at the time of writing this article.