In a surprising turn of events, rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, appeared at the Manhattan federal courthouse where Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently on trial for criminal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges. Despite stating he was there to support Combs, Ye was ultimately denied access to the main courtroom.
Why Ye Couldn’t Enter the Main Courtroom
Ye arrived at the courthouse on Friday, June 13, 2025, shortly after 11 a.m., hoping to attend the proceedings taking place on the 26th floor. However, courthouse sources revealed that Ye was not permitted entry into the primary courtroom.
According to reports, the reasons for his denial were straightforward:
He was reportedly not listed on Combs’ approved list of family members or friends allowed in the main courtroom.
He did not wait in the public line like other spectators seeking entry.
A court source emphasized the strict protocol, stating plainly, “No one gets special treatment.”
Watching from the Overflow Room
Following the denial from the main courtroom, courthouse staff directed Ye to an overflow room located three floors below the trial, on the 23rd floor. From here, Ye was able to watch the live proceedings on a closed-circuit video monitor.
He was accompanied in the overflow room by Christian Combs, one of Diddy’s sons, along with Ye’s bodyguard and another supporter of Combs. Initially, this area was kept relatively vacant by a court officer.
Ye, dressed entirely in white denim, sat in the front row and listened to approximately 30 to 40 minutes of testimony. At the time, Jonathan Perez, a former personal assistant for Combs, was on the witness stand.
Word of Ye’s presence quickly spread, and as other spectators began entering the overflow room, Ye abruptly left the building with his companions. He departed without speaking to reporters. Inside the main courtroom, Combs reportedly appeared pleased upon learning of his friend’s visit.
Context of the High-Profile Trial
Sean “Diddy” Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he used his fame, fortune, and violence to commit crimes over a two-decade period. His criminal trial is now in its fifth week, with the prosecution expected to rest its case next week.
Ye’s name had previously surfaced during jury selection, where potential jurors were questioned about their knowledge of various celebrities potentially connected to the case. During the trial itself, Ye has been mentioned only once, in passing, by another of Combs’ assistants.
Other notable individuals have featured prominently in the trial’s testimony. Kid Cudi, another celebrity on the juror questionnaire list, testified earlier regarding a dispute with Combs involving singer Cassie Ventura. Ventura, who was signed to Combs’ label and dated him for about a decade, testified at the start of the trial, detailing allegations of abuse and coercion into elaborate sex performances she referred to as “freak offs.”
More recently, an accuser identified pseudonymously as “Jane” concluded six days of extensive testimony. Jane testified about a relationship with Combs from 2021 until his arrest, claiming she felt coerced into frequent, multi-day sexual encounters with male sex workers while Combs allegedly watched and sometimes filmed these drug-fueled events. Combs’ defense has countered these claims, arguing their client committed no crimes and that prosecutors are attempting to criminalize consensual adult sexual activity.
Jane’s testimony also included details about a trip to Las Vegas in January 2023. She described attending a sex performance hosted by an unnamed “icon in the music industry” who was described by Combs’ lawyer as being “very close with Combs” and a professional collaborator. Jane testified that this rapper flirted with her during the event, stating he “always wanted to blank me” (censoring the explicit word). She also recalled flashing her breasts while dancing during the night.
In a separate development the same day, the judge presiding over the trial indicated he was considering removing a juror. This followed prosecutors raising concerns about inconsistencies in the juror’s statements regarding his residency, suggesting he had moved to New Jersey despite stating during selection he lived in the Bronx. While the juror claimed to maintain a New York license and stay in the state during the week, only New York residents are eligible for the jury. Combs’ lawyers opposed the potential dismissal, calling it a “thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror,” though the judge noted the jury panel would remain diverse even if the juror was removed.
Ye’s brief and ultimately restricted appearance adds another layer to the unfolding drama surrounding the closely watched Sean “Diddy” Combs trial.
