San Diego State University: University Investigates Video of Individuals Dressed as P. Diddy and Baby Oil for Halloween

On October 29, 2024, San Diego State University announced that it is “working to confirm additional information” on two individuals dressed as Sean “Diddy” Combs and baby oil for Halloween – a reference to the rapper’s parties alleged to include sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. FIRE wrote SDSU on October 31, explaining that the First Amendment protects the right to wear offensive costumes regardless of the subjective reaction of those who see them. We further explained that announcing investigations into protected expression chills speech by threatening unconstitutional discipline. FIRE urged SDSU to end the investigation and refrain from scaring its students into silence. On November 1, SDSU explained that its response about the matter was misrepresented by media outlets and confirmed that it has not launched any investigation into the costumes.