Rap Star's $360,000 Maybach Birthday Gift To Son Questioned On Nightline

[apples and oranges]

Nightline aired footage of the VH1 show My Super Sweet 16, celebrating Diddy's son Justin. That episode made the news when it aired in February because Diddy gave Justin a Maybach car worth more than $360,000. Bashir asked Diddy what many people wanted to know -- "Do you think it was appropriate to buy your 16-year-old son a Maybach car worth almost $400,000?"

Diddy seemed put off by the question, replying that he can give his kids whatever he wanted. But as Bashir continued to press the issue, Diddy grew increasingly annoyed.

When Bashir asked if giving such a lavish gift imposed a "sensible lesson," Diddy said, "I feel the way I raise my children, you know, I don't have to explain to you or anybody else because nobody knows the way I raise my children."

A persistent Bashir tried an additional time to get Diddy to admit that the gesture was excessive, but Diddy stood his ground. "It wasn't even about a lesson," he said with attitude. "It's what I wanted to do. I can do whatever I want to do with my children. And you can't question me about it. Nobody can question me about what I do with my children."

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/thatsreallyweek/83264/jun-7-13-diddys-360000-maybach-birthday-gift-to-son-questioned-on-nightline/

More evidence that the rich need to be taxed more!!

[mzteris]

1. i wonder if he'll answer the question

"are you sorry you bought that car?"

when his son crashes it from speeding?

[MrScorpio]

5. Maybachs are normally chauffeur driven anyway

If Diddy hired one and keeps his kid in the back seat, he gets the responsible parent vote from me.

[fleabert]

11. not the ones i see here...

they are just a car like the lambos and the RR...perfect for groceries!

ugh, the wasted wealth is sickening.

[MrScorpio]

14. He should get the kid one anyway

Just for the ego boost alone, if not for safety reasons only

[fleabert]

21. if it breaks down, the engineer (not mechanic) comes to the car, not the other way around

and there's one assigned to each car individually.

at least that's the story i hear. better than AAA, amazing what money can buy, in addition to food, shelter and health care.

[cbdo2007]

55. Couldn't he speed in any car he got him?

Your response doesn't make any sense. Even a cheapo hyundai goes up to 100 mph.

[mzteris]

76. the odds of "speeding" increase

exponentially with the type of car you have.

Give a kid a sports car - he'll speed. Give him a beater - and maybe not.

[dmallind]

81. Maybach is a luxo-cruiser not a sports coupe. NT

[NWHarkness]

2. Are they asking these questions of the Rockefellers? The Fords? The Hiltons?

If they are, I haven't heard them.

[snagglepuss]

8. That is because people know enough not to expect a social conscience from rich

white trash. My bad for believing that diddy was any different.

[HipChick]

23. Why should he? It's his money,he earned it..why should people think they have the right to dictate

how he raises his children?

[snagglepuss]

46. I don't even know why you or others on this thread are at DU. It baffles me.

With your attitude, one that seems to be widely shared on this thread, Americans will never get public healthcare or pull its collective ass out of the grave its digging because so many grovel before wealth and some sort of American gene kicks in to defend egotistical, self-serving greed. Diddy can do whatever he wants with his money but that doesn't mean what he does is morally right.

[Incitatus]

47. Hating on the rich is nothing new here. nt

[Darth_Kitten]

73. Earned?

:rofl:

I guess it's wrong to question the "cool" people.

[midnight]

9. Awesome questions.

[SOS]

15. Hilton may not be a good example for this point

Conrad Hilton left $10,000 his daughter Francesca.
His son Barron had to sue the estate to get his inheritance. (He won).

Whether Rockefeller or Diddy, this level of decadence is revolting.

[Saboburns]

17. It's not revolting to me

Not at all. Pay your taxes and PURSUE HAPPINESS.

Good for Diddy.

[SOS]

25. Perhaps

if the definition of "happiness" is buying a $400,000 toy for a child.

20% of New York City children do not have enough to eat.
The "life and liberty" part of the Declaration applies to them as well.

http://www.nyccah.org/node/108

[TheDebbieDee]

19. Midnight is right. Those are awesome questions!

[cali]

24. Having known several Rockefellers

I can tell you that none of them get cars like that for their sixteenth birthdays.

[Hannah Bell]

36. those people purposefully keep a lower profile.

[Horse with no Name]

49. But...But...But he is ((whispers)) BLACK

Makes all the difference in the world in what you are allowed to buy your kids.

[petronius]

53. Considering that the gifting was made into an episode of a TV show,

and Diddy purposely went to the interview in an attempt to drum up publicity for a movie, I don't think the queries were out of line. Useless celebrity info, of course, but I wouldn't read any big sociological implications into it.

That said, as long as he came by his riches honestly, I really don't care how many cars he buys or who he buys them for, and if he buys one for me I won't turn it down...

[HipChick]

3. Is it anyone biz as to how the rich spend their money? Bashir is a dumb arse journalist anyway..

[MrScorpio]

4. When Bashir starts grilling the Walton Fam then maybe I'll start giving a shit about what he thinks

Until then, he's just an empty suit.

[Raineyb]

30. Indeed. It's always telling who gets asked these questions. n/t

[Hassin Bin Sober]

31. How 'bout it. Ask the Waltons about their multi-million fortified Armageddon bunker.

Or that defense contractor selling the sub-standard bullet resistant vests who threw his daughter a multi-million dollar "sweet 16" party.

[blondeatlast]

32. +1. nt

[earth mom]

6. Wonder if Diddy will be singing that tune when the kid wrecks the car and goes on

to live off daddy for years and years? :eyes:

[donco6]

7. Imagine - a rapper being criticized for being excessive.

LOL! So what's new?

[Saboburns]

10. I fully agree with you Diddy.

And I like your comments regarding the matter.

[KingFlorez]

12. What kind of question is that?

I don't think anyone should be questioned about something like that, a lot of parents give their kids expensive gifts.

[Orsino]

39. It wasn't a question. It was a clumsy gotcha...

...so obviously true that Diddy looked just as stupid trying to deny it.

[louis-t]

13. Hey, Did, the kid would rather have a Porsche.

Maybach is for old people. :eyes:

[flvegan]

16. I just can't get outraged over this.

$400k to Diddy? Like me buying a $400 car for my kid (if I had one). That Maybach would also be one helluva lot safer that what I could buy my kid.

[Saboburns]

18. Agree

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

[Texasgal]

37. agreed.

I don't care what he gave his kids. It's his money and his decision.

[sledgehammer]

65. +1 n/t

[AndyA]

20. I wonder what the chances of this kid growing up and not being a piece of shit are?

Most overindulged kids think they're superior to everyone else.

Some that I've known were so downright unpleasant no one wanted to be around them. But that wasn't their fault, it was because the rest of us were inferior.

Who knows, maybe this kid will not be like that. Time will tell. :eyes:

[HipChick]

22. You mean like Prince Charles?

[Doremus]

33. Warren Buffet did it right. His kids grew up not knowing they were rich.

[Hannah Bell]

38. oh, baloney. that's PR spin. when howard buffett was 23, his dad bought him

a $300,000 farm. buffett endowed a foundation for each of his kids when they came of age.

that's how rich "they didn't think they were."

[Codeine]

63. Oh you don't actually believe that tripe, do you?

Self-serving PR from the super-wealthy to convince the proles they aren't being fucked daily.

[ProgressiveVictory]

26. Im sure if he was taxed more he would still be able to buy his son the car.

I dont see anything wrong with it. If you got it flaunt it.

[Patriot 76]

27. Rap star? Please!

Can anyone point me to how much money he has donated to his community and causes that are near and dear to him?

You'd figure a man worth $364,000,000 would do those type of things.

[howaboutme]

28. There is something about stolen wealth

By "stolen" I mean many dollars taken from the economy and from society for producing nothing of worth or value to society. We see it all the time from outsourcing CEOs, deal making bankers on Wall Street, Hollywood moguls who receive forced taxpayer tribute to make movies in their state, pro athletes and owners who are taxpayer subsidized.

We need is a rebellion (i.e. French revolution) to purge our corrupt nation.

[Hannah Bell]

41. my guess is diddy's a money launderer. connections.

[flvegan]

48. Really?

One would have to be stupid in epic fashion to think that's where his money came from.

[Hannah Bell]

54. uh-huh. everyone knows that.

Three other alleged mob associates — Dennis Martino, brother of Richard Martino, Thomas Pugliese and Andrew Campos — pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. A fourth man, Zev Mustafa, pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with the scheme.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6928696/

http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2008/10/29/sean-diddy-combs-cousin-sentenced-for-his-role-in-bmf

http://vodpod.com/watch/3820297-exclusive-frank-lucas-talks-about-diddys-father

not the only friends & family involved in organized crime.

but i'm sure such connections had nothing to do with his success.

they never do, all businesspeople pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

[flvegan]

57. What did Diddy get charged with, please?

Oh, right. NOthing. Reynolds thanks you for your tinfoil purchase.

Laughable.

[Hannah Bell]

58. sinatra wasn't charged with anything either. but the mafia had a lot to do with his success,

starting back in the old neighborhood.

crime families in "legit" businesses = money laundering.

you're welcome to your opinion, & i to mine.

[flvegan]

60. So did JFK. So?

You ready to drag that out here?

[Hannah Bell]

61. i see you take my point, then.

[flvegan]

64. No, I don't.

You made silly accusations, then brought the mob into this as justification. I mentioned that the mob has been influential before, much to our benefit to show you how stupid such an accusation is without anything to back it. Yet you can't seem to get back to how Diddy laundered money as per your original accusation. Big talk, no back up.

No surprise.

[Hannah Bell]

66. perhaps you'd better re-read the original post; it's clearly labeled as "my guess".

when associates of highly-placed criminal figures rise quickly to the top, that's always my guess; start-up funds & help from friends. not much different from sam walton's start-up funding & connections from his father-in-law.

criminal $ channeled into 'legit' business = money-laundering.

i really don't see what you find so problematic. the nexus between street crime, business & politics is a river that runs wide & long.

http://www.moldea.com/MCAMusic.html

combs has close family & friends involved in organized crime, and not just on a casual level. his father also had such involvements. he reportedly has such folks on his staff. it's a fact. sue me for making the logical connection.

http://web.archive.org/web/20070819041859/http://www.ganglandnews.com/column437.htm

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Synicus Maximus]

42. If some people didn't think he was producing something or

worth and value then, then they would not pay money to see him and hear his music etc.

[KingFlorez]

43. It's up to the buyer to determine what is worth buying or not

Greedy CEOs and Bankers are nothing like athletes and entertainers who earn money based on what they do, these CEOs and Bankers run over a lot of people, entertainers just earn money for themselves. As long as you aren't harming anyone, making money is fine.

[howaboutme]

75. But they make the $$$$ on our backs

I could agree except for the fact that almost every entertainment venue is subsidized by taxpayers. If the "entertainment" industry had to pay their own legitimate way as do other lines of business, they would be far less profitable and the owners and entertainers would make far less.

From our almost free public airwaves, to the stadiums and arenas, to the subsidization of Hollywood movies, the costs are borne by every taxpayer whether they wish it or not. Pittsburgh turned down a new stadium and the accompanying taxes and the corrupt politicians, that are essentially controlled by the entertainment industry, still figured out a way to force the stadium down their throats.

[Lagomorph]

44. I'm sure that would...

turn out well...

:sarcasm:

[Horse with no Name]

50. Here you go

http://www.naacpldf.org/content.aspx?article=726
>>>>snip

All of Sean "P. Diddy" Comb's successes have helped him follow through on his private vow to give back to the community that supported him in his youth and career. Valuing the positive impact, support and guidance he received throughout his life, P. Diddy started Daddy's House Social Programs in 1995 to create educational programs and initiatives for inner-city youth. Guided by his vision and under the leadership of Executive Director Sister Souljah, Daddy's House programming includes Daddy's House Weekend Boys and Girls Club, providing weekend academic tutoring and life skills for nearly 800 boys and girls; Daddy's House on Wall Street, a three week course teaching the fundamentals of the stock market and practical financial skills; Daddy's House College Tours for high school seniors, a three week tour to various college campuses; Daddy's House International Travel Groups, offering outstanding students an opportunity to travel around the world to countries such as South Africa and Ghana to learn about trade, culture, commerce and international relations; Daddy's House Sleep Away Camps, which provide a retreat to summer camps in upstate New York for nearly 200 children every summer; and Bad Boy internships, which Combs himself instructs. Far exceeding a simple charitable gesture, Sean also organizes and funds annual Thanksgiving food drives; plays Santa to more than 3000 kids each year, delivering gifts to children's hospitals and foster care homes throughout New York; and has been active in the fight against HIV/AIDS, hosting educational youth programs in South Africa as part of MTV's World AIDS Special.

In November 2003, Sean Combs completed the New York City Marathon raising two million dollars (double what he initially sought to raise) - and awareness - for NYC Public Schools and numerous children's charities.

In Fall 2004, in the midst of what many refer to as "the most important presidential election of our time," Sean formed the ground-breaking Citizen Change campaign to serve as a wake up call to young and minority voters by unveiling a get out the vote campaign on a scale and style that has never been seen before in America. Sean successfully made voting relevant to young people ages 18-29, as well as minorities, who often forget the power they possess.

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' career continues along the road of tireless and indomitable creativity. His commitment to his community is fueled by his desire to make the world a better place for his sons Justin, Christian, and his stepson Quincy. His ongoing social and philanthropic efforts make it clear that he's not just another businessman trying to raise money. Sean Combs says-and proves-he's a community activist who strives to raise peoples' consciousness about the critical social issues affecting our youth, and motivating others to act."

[walldude]

52. Yeah I can...

http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/54-diddy


I don't even like the guy, but he does his share and has every right to buy his kid whatever the hell he wants.

It's the equivalent of me buying my kid a Playstation 3. It's not a cheap gift relevant to what I am worth but sometimes I like to spoil my kids...

[tranche]

29. I guess this is how the MSM speaks truth to power.

I'm rolling my eyes now.

[Hannah Bell]

34. median income for 10 people for a year.

[Xithras]

71. Buying that car kept a number of those people employed.

That's one caveat I always remember when I whine about the ways of the rich. Every private plane, expensive car, or huge house they buy keeps the people who make them employed and collecting those checks. If the rich stopped blowing money on stupid crap tomorrow, a lot of blue collar working Americans would rapidly find themselves unemployed.

And yes, I know the Maybach is German. German workers need paychecks too.

[Hannah Bell]

78. it would do the same no matter who spent it. that's no justification for a skewed

distribution of wealth.

if 90% of income went to one person, that person would keep some people employed too.

bfd.

[CBR]

35. Going after Diddy is very important....

:eyes:

[JI7]

40. From the same media whores who made GWBush a serious candidate

because of who he was.

i know many on DU think racism is thrown around too much. but i just get a feeling like this from this. they woudln't do this about white families.

Jenna Bush and Luke Russert work at NBC don't they ?

[Brewman_Jax]

45. Note who the question wasn't put to

no grilling of Hulk Hogan's family, or Gene Simmons, or Paris Hilton's, or GW Bush*, etc. Journalism at its best, the same slackers that made GW Bush* and Sarah Palin and the teabaggers relevant. :eyes:

[tuckessee]

51. What an a-hole.

He gets self-righteously defensive when asked about it, saying "...And you can't question me about it. Nobody can question me about what I do with my children." yet the whole thing was filmed for a reality show making it pretty much fair game for anyone on the planet who wants to comment about it.

That being said, I could care less what he does with his money.

[Catherine Vincent]

56. It's none of your business Bashit!

Why is he always questioning certain entertainers on their personal business?

[proteus_lives]

59. Who cares?

It's between him and his son. No one else.

[old mark]

62. As a musician, musicians may not be the most stable thinkers in the world...

but musicians like diddy have more money than many countries and I am sure the car won't dent his bank balance much...

I am also sure this is not the only Maybach or equivalent in the son's crowd....

Pretty much agree with "So What."


mark

[Rex]

67. If Diddy was white and ran any kind of business besides rap

with the same revenue he makes as a rapper...this would have never been an issue for news! Oh noes! Black man spends shitloads of money on kid! So did they want Diddy to breakdown crying in the interview and say that only white people should throw million dollar parties with nekked ice sculptures on the taxpayer dime? Oh wait, he didn't even do that.


Diddy have you no shame! Buy your son a Prius and solar panel your house! Stop being so dam rich and spoiling your kids rotten! Nightline thinks only white corporate CEOs kids deserve a pony!

[Darth_Kitten]

74. But because Diddy is black that's why he's being defended?

:eyes:

Yeah, I guess some people deserve a free pass.

[apocalypsehow]

68. Good for Bashir - that asshat needs to have his disgusting feet held to the fire.

What an asshole this "Diddy" is. :thumbsdown:

[Catherine Vincent]

79. Bashir is the asshat and the asshole. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

69. Ask the people who buy the music.

As it is, it's his money.

[old mark]

72. Mr. Combs dresses in leather and ball caps. He is a Grammy winner, he is a record producer,

actor and owned of a men's clothing company which also has won awards. He seems to have a golden touch. He is by NO MEANS a stupid man-he is a very commercially successful creative artist in several fields, and in 2006 his net worth was around $360 million.

He can certainly buy anybody anything he wants, and his kids should start to get used to handling money-they will undoubtedly inherit some.
Personally, I think any rich person who deliberately leaves his children with no money is a sadistic asshole, no matter what the ideology behind it...


mark

[Blue_Tires]

77. on the other side of the world, some oil sheiks and russian mobsters are reading this

and thinking: "what a penny-pinching cheapskate miser!"

[mackerel]

80. I could seriously care less about what Diddy does with his

dollars. I just hope he spent the same amount of money on the boys education.

[dmallind]

82. As long as he pays his taxes, what he does with net wealth is up to him. NT

[mackerel]

83. I was telling my son about this and what he found

more interesting was the cars Nazi history. Maybe the age of irony is truly dead.

[dmallind]

84. All kinds of things have "Nazi history". Are they all ironic?

Jews sometimes drive VWs. Poles buy Thissen steel.

[mackerel]

85. Like I said the age of irony is dead.

[dmallind]

86. Or perhaps it just wasn't irony at all. www.dictionary.com NT

[onager]

87. Rush Limbaugh owns TWO Maybachs.

Simon Cowell owned one for a while, but got patriotic or something and ditched it for a new Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The recent Maybach is nothing but a tarted-up top-of-the-line Mercedes. They did not sell well and are being discontinued, last I heard.

The original Maybach (from the 1930's) was also a super-luxury car, virtually hand-made and appealing to those who lived lifestyles of the rich and infamous. Including some top Nazi bigwigs.

During WWII, Maybach built engines for German armored vehicles, including the famous Tiger and Panther tanks.

Among the many books cluttering up my condo, I have a copy of Mercedes-Benz Parade and Staff Cars of the Third Reich by Blaine Taylor.

In the introduction, Taylor writes that, at the beginning of the book project, he contacted Mercedes-Benz to see if they could help. The answer was "absolutely Nein!!"