Topline
Kanye West, the controversial rapper and former billionaire, showed up at a Manhattan federal courthouse on Friday morning to support Sean “Diddy” Combs amid his sex trafficking and racketeering trial, but left after about 40 minutes, according to multiple reports.
Kanye West briefly appeared at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial on Friday. (AP Photo/Michael R. Sisak)
Key Facts
West departed the courthouse Friday afternoon about 40 minutes after he arrived, NBC News reported.
West attempted to enter the courtroom where Combs’ trial is ongoing, but he was told he was not on the approved list of guests for the day and was then directed to an overflow room, where he was able to watch proceedings on a screen before he decided to leave, multiple outlets reported.
Christian Combs, one of Combs’ sons, accompanied West during his visit, the New York Times reported.
West arrived at the courthouse Friday morning in an all-white outfit, and bystanders outside the building shouted, “Thanks for the support, Kanye,” NBC News reported.
As West entered the courthouse, a reporter asked him if he had arrived to support Combs, to which West nodded and said “yes,” CNN reported.
CNN previously reported Thursday evening West had been in touch with Combs’ family about making an appearance at the courthouse to support the rap mogul.
Key Background
West has long supported Combs amid his legal troubles on social media, and he released a song in March called “Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine” that appears to feature Combs’ vocals via a prison phone call. West has also made numerous social media posts advocating for Combs. In February, West went on a multi-tweet tirade in which he said “Free Puff” in one post, and in another, suggested Combs was being scapegoated as part of an effort to target Black celebrities. “Just for clarity they tyring [sic] to make an example out of Puff me and my brother had our issues but these white people trying to use Puff to scare [Black people] Im neither scared nor brave this just me,” West said in a post.
What Is Happening In Diddy’s Trial On Friday?
As West made his brief appearance at the courthouse, a special agent who was involved in the March 2024 raids of Combs’ Los Angeles home took the stand. The agent, Andre LaMon, testified Homeland Security Investigations authorities recovered about 200 bottles of baby oil and 900 bottles of lubricant from Combs’ home, as well as multiple weapons, and drugs that tested positive for MDMA and ketamine, CNN reported. An ex-personal assistant to Combs took the stand just before West departed the courthouse. The former assistant, Jonathan Perez, has so far testified he was tasked with setting up hotel rooms for “king nights,” which he described as Combs “going to a hotel to have private time with a female.”
Further Reading
Kanye West Drops New Song Apparently Featuring Diddy (From Prison), North West and Christian ‘King’ Combs (Variety)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/06/13/kanye-west-shows-up-at-sean-diddy-combs-trial-to-support-rap-mogul/