Another day, another lawsuit. This time, a major legal face-off is brewing between Atlanta rap heavyweight T.I. and former family friend Sabrina Peterson, as a Los Angeles judge has officially scheduled their defamation trial for summer 2026.
Okay so here’s what you need to know. The trial stems from a years-long legal saga that has been in the making and could shed light on one of hip-hop’s most contentious personal disputes.
T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, filed a defamation lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Peterson of launching a public smear campaign against him. Central to his claim are social media posts and livestreams in which Peterson allegedly made false accusations, including that the rapper was under federal investigation for sex trafficking.
Take a look, the legal standoff didn’t start there. Back in 2021, Peterson filed her lawsuit against both T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, accusing the couple of defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Among her claims was a serious allegation that T.I. once pointed a gun at her during a heated incident. Peterson argued that after speaking publicly about the experience, the couple tried to damage her reputation in retaliation.
By June 2023, her legal fight had begun to unravel. A judge dismissed five out of the seven claims in her lawsuit, leaving only the defamation and invasion of privacy allegations on the table. The court also ordered her to pay nearly $100,000 in legal fees to T.I. and Tiny. Citing financial hardship, Peterson requested to pay the fees in monthly installments of $1,000. But by March 2025, the court dismissed her lawsuit without prejudice due to inactivity and non-payment. A related contempt charge was also dropped.
In response, T.I. launched his countersuit, arguing that Peterson’s public accusations profoundly damaged his reputation and violated his privacy. His legal team states that the claims, widely shared across social media, sparked public backlash and harmed his personal and professional reputation.
Before the courtroom showdown begins, both parties are required to attend a settlement conference with a private mediator. That meeting must take place by Nov. 24, 2025. If either side skips out, the trial won’t proceed. However, if mediation fails, the case will proceed, with a trial date now set for June 9, 2026.