United States rapper Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, made a brief appearance at a Manhattan federal courthouse in a show of support for music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently on trial for alleged sex trafficking and racketeering.
West did not enter the courtroom itself. Instead, he watched part of the proceedings via closed-circuit video in an adjacent room alongside one of Combs’s sons, before leaving shortly after. When approached by ABC and asked whether he was present to support Combs, the 48-year-old artist nodded and simply said, “Yes.”
His visit came just a day after a woman testifying under the pseudonym “Jane” concluded her time on the stand. The witness gave harrowing and explicit testimony, alleging that Combs coerced her into participating in drug-fueled sexual encounters involving escorts.
Her account appeared to mirror earlier testimony from Casandra Ventura, Combs’s longtime partner, who previously stated that such encounters were referred to as “freak-offs.” Jane also recounted traveling to Las Vegas on the private jet of a well-known rapper and claimed she had once recommended a male escort to that artist and his girlfriend.
For nearly four weeks, jurors in the federal trial have listened to multiple witnesses describe Combs’s alleged manipulation and control over both employees and romantic partners. Prosecutors argue the 55-year-old wielded his power to orchestrate a pattern of exploitation.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His legal team maintains that the relationships and activities described during the trial were consensual, not criminal. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.
The trial is expected to extend through at least the end of June.
