Ye (Kanye West) Shows Up for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Federal Trial in NYC
In a notable appearance at Manhattan federal court on Friday, rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, briefly attended the sex trafficking trial of his longtime friend, Sean “Diddy” Combs. However, despite his stated intention to support the hip-hop mogul, Ye was not granted entry into the main courtroom where the proceedings were unfolding.
Ye spent approximately 40 minutes inside the courthouse building. Dressed in white, he arrived before noon while the trial was on a break. Upon clearing security, he was directly asked by a reporter if he was there to support Combs. Ye confirmed with a simple “Yes” and a nod before heading towards an elevator. He declined to answer further questions, including whether he might consider testifying on Combs’ behalf later in the trial.
Unable to Access the Main Courtroom
Courthouse security did not escort Ye to the 26th floor, which houses the large courtroom where Combs’ trial is taking place. Admittance to this courtroom is tightly controlled, with seating primarily reserved for Combs’ family, legal team, accredited media, and a limited number of public spectators who often queue for hours.
Instead, Ye was taken to an overflow room on a lower floor. There, he was able to observe the testimony for a short period via a closed-circuit video monitor. He sat briefly in the front row alongside Combs’ son, Christian, a bodyguard, and another supporter. As word of his location spread, some spectators and media members eventually trickled into the room. After looking around, Ye abruptly rose and left the building with his companions, passing reporters and cameras without further comment before entering a waiting black Mercedes.
Combs, 55, who was in the main courtroom, reportedly appeared elated upon learning of his friend’s visit.
Context of the High-Profile Trial
Sean “Diddy” Combs has pleaded not guilty to serious charges including sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that over a 20-year period, Combs used his significant fame, fortune, power, and violence to facilitate these crimes.
Ye’s courthouse appearance came a day after a key witness, identified only as “Jane,” concluded six days of often graphic testimony. Jane testified about a relationship with Combs from 2021 until his arrest last September. She claimed she felt coerced into frequent, multi-day sexual encounters with male sex workers while Combs allegedly watched and sometimes filmed the drug-fueled events.
Defense attorneys for Combs have countered that he committed no crimes, arguing that prosecutors are attempting to police consensual sexual activity between adults.
Witness Testimony Includes Trip with “Famous Rapper”
Notably, during her extensive testimony, Jane described a separate incident: a trip she took to Las Vegas in January 2023 during a three-month break from her relationship with Combs. She testified that she traveled with a “famous rapper” who was a close friend of Combs, accompanied by the rapper’s girlfriend. This portion of her testimony was preceded by a private hearing to determine what details could be publicly disclosed.
Under questioning, Jane confirmed this rapper was “an individual at the top of the music industry as well… an icon.” She recounted attending dinner, a strip club, and a hotel room party with the group. At the party, she described witnessing a sex worker engage in sexual activity with a woman while several others watched. Jane also testified that the rapper made a crude comment to her, expressing a long-held desire to have sex with her. She stated she flashed her breasts while dancing at the party, though she couldn’t recall the exact timing.
While the identity of this “famous rapper” friend of Combs during Jane’s testimony was not explicitly named in open court in this context, the testimony adds another layer to the complex network surrounding the trial. Sources have also reported that Ye is currently collaborating on new music with Combs’ son, Christian “King” Combs, who has frequently been present in court to support his father.
In addition to the witness testimony, Friday’s proceedings also included discussion of a potential juror removal after prosecutors cited inconsistencies in his residency information. The judge was leaning towards replacing the juror, a decision met with opposition from Combs’ defense team, who called it a “thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror.” The judge noted the jury would remain diverse even if the juror were removed.
Ye’s brief appearance underscores the high-profile nature of the trial and the network of prominent figures connected to Sean “Diddy” Combs.
