Jay-Z Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Entrepreneur and rap mogul Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, is facing allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Allegations: In a civil lawsuit filed by Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, Carter is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000, allegedly alongside music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The lawsuit claims that the rape occurred at a house party after the MTV Video Music Awards in New York and after the girl was offered a drink that made her feel "woozy, lightheaded." Carter is also accused of “orchestrating a conspiracy of harassment, bullying and intimidation against Plaintiff’s lawyers, their families, employees and former associates in an attempt to silence Plaintiff from naming Jay-Z herein.”

Carter's Denial: In a statement, Carter called the allegations "idiotic" and said they're "so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case."

For Context: Carter is the latest celebrity to be named in a scandal involving Combs, who was arrested and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution in September.

How the Media Covered It: Many sources across the political spectrum led with Carter's denial and then described the allegations against him. Newsmax (Right bias) was an exception, and was one of the few sources to link to Buzbee's statement posted to X, while many other sources said he "didn't comment."