Kanye West made an unexpected appearance Friday at the ongoing federal criminal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs in Manhattan, briefly entering the courthouse before exiting less than an hour later, just as testimony took a graphic turn involving sex trafficking allegations, illicit escorts, and the discovery of hundreds of bottles of lubricant in Combs' mansion.
West, dressed in an all-white ensemble and sunglasses, walked through security with Combs' son Christian "King" Combs and close friend Charlucci Finney. Court staff, anticipating his arrival, instructed the public and press to remain quiet. West was not seated in the main courtroom but was instead directed to an overflow room, where he watched the proceedings via video feed flanked by bodyguards and Christian. He left shortly after reporters and observers flooded the room.
The rapper's appearance came just one day after the six-day testimony of Combs' former girlfriend, identified only as "Jane," concluded. Jane, also listed as Victim-2 in the federal indictment, described in detail how Combs forced her into sex acts with male escorts under the influence of drugs and controlled her behavior through intimidation and violence. She testified that in June 2024, Combs "busted down doors" and "punched" her during one such encounter.
She also recalled a January 2024 trip to Las Vegas, where she ended up in a hotel room with an unnamed music icon "very close" to Combs. The group, which included the rapper's partner and friends, allegedly watched a male escort have sex with a woman. While West was not explicitly named, his proximity to Combs and rapid appearance at the courthouse fueled renewed speculation on social media.
West has been publicly supportive of Combs during the proceedings, including referencing the embattled mogul in his song "Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine." In a video jail call obtained by The Shade Room, Combs thanked West for being a "big brother father figure" to Christian and said, "This shit is wicked, wicked, wicked. So you be careful."
"I'm Puff Daddy in jail. This shit is fucking sad as a motherfucker," Combs added during the call.
On Friday, Homeland Security agents testified about a raid on Combs' Los Angeles residence, where investigators reportedly found 200 bottles of baby oil and 900 bottles of personal lubricant. Prosecutors linked the materials to what witnesses described as Combs' so-called "freak-offs"-private sex parties involving women, escorts, and detailed preparations allegedly orchestrated by Combs and his staff.
Former assistant Jonathan Perez, granted immunity for his testimony, said he worked for Combs from December 2021 through September 2024. He confirmed that Jane was considered Combs' "companion" and admitted to setting up hotels for the alleged "king nights." Messages shown in court included one where a staffer wrote they "slipped & fell twice" while cleaning up a room after an event.
Combs, 55, faces charges including sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty and could face life in prison if convicted. The trial, now in its sixth week, continues with further testimony from staff, law enforcement, and alleged victims.
