Kanye West Supports Diddy at Sex Trafficking Trial

On Friday, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, arrived at the New York sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. He was there to show support for the hip-hop mogul, a long-time friend.

Ye, dressed in white, arrived at the Manhattan federal court before noon while the trial was on a break. When asked if he was there to support Combs, he responded affirmatively with a nod. He then quickly entered an elevator and did not respond to a reporter's question about whether he might testify for Combs when the defense begins presenting its case.

Combs, who is 55 years old, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges. These charges allege that he used his fame, wealth, and violence to commit crimes over a 20-year period.

Ye's appearance at the courthouse followed a day after a woman identified as “Jane” completed six days of testimony. She testified about her relationship with Combs, which lasted from 2021 until his arrest last September at a Manhattan hotel. She stated that she felt coerced into having sex with male sex workers while Combs watched.

Defense attorneys have argued that Combs committed no crimes and that federal prosecutors are attempting to police consensual sex between adults.

On Thursday, Jane testified about a three-month break in her relationship with Combs. During this time, she flew to Las Vegas in January 2023 with a famous rapper who was close friends with Combs. Prior to Jane's testimony on this subject, lawyers and the judge held a lengthy private hearing to discuss what could be revealed about the January trip.

Jane was asked if the rapper she accompanied, along with the rapper's girlfriend, was “an individual at the top of the music industry as well ... an icon in the music industry.”

In Las Vegas, Jane testified that she went with a group including the rapper to dinner, a strip club, and a hotel room party. At the party, a sex worker had sex with a woman while several others watched. She said there was dancing, and the rapper made crude sexual remarks to her. Jane said she flashed her breasts while dancing, though she didn't recall the exact timing.