Sean Combs’ legal team rested their defence in just 20 minutes on Tuesday, bringing a dramatic close to their case in a federal sex trafficking trial that has stretched nearly seven weeks.

The brevity of the presentation marked a sharp contrast to the prosecution’s case, which involved over 30 witnesses and days of testimony in a New York court.

Combs, who has denied all allegations, told the court he would not testify in his own defence.

“It’s my decision with my lawyers not to testify,” he said. Speaking directly to Judge Arun Subramanian, the rapper added, “I want to tell you thank you… you’re doing an excellent job.”

The musician, known as Diddy, has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face a life sentence.

His lawyers made a final push to have the case dismissed, arguing the prosecution failed to prove any of the accusations. Attorney Alexandra Shapiro told the court, “The government hasn’t met the burden in proving the charges.” She claimed that the alleged victims were “capable women” who could have left the situation at any time.

Instead of calling any witnesses to testify, the defence submitted a handful of text messages between Combs and two women—singer Casandra Ventura and another woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane.

One of the messages from Jane, read aloud by the defence, stated: “I always have fun” during their “hotel nights,” a term used for encounters referred to as “freak-offs.”

Legal analysts have noted the risks associated with calling witnesses in such a case. Former prosecutor Mitchell Epner said the defence likely avoided introducing new testimony to prevent weakening their position, especially if Combs had taken the stand.

“That would have hung the entire case on his testimony,” he noted.

Shapiro also made a distinction between abusive behaviour and the crimes Combs is charged with.

“Mr Combs was regrettably violent, but domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” she said.

Prosecutors, however, have argued that Combs used drugs, violence and coercion to force his ex-partners into sexual acts, which they say were part of a wider criminal operation that exploited his fame and business connections.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday and Friday, setting the stage for the jury to determine Combs’ fate in a case that has drawn national attention.