The Sean "Diddy" Combs federal sex trafficking trial has been a hotbed of disturbing testimonies and celebrity drama, but nothing quite prepared onlookers for the unannounced appearance of Kanye "Ye Ye" West at the Manhattan federal courthouse on Friday, June 13, 2025.
West, 48, made quite the entrance, arriving around 11:10 a.m. in an all-white denim outfit, complete with signature dark sunglasses. He was seen leaving a car outside the New York courthouse and even shook hands with a couple of people before heading toward security. Adding to the spectacle, West arrived alongside one of Combs' sons, Christian "King" Combs. When a reporter directly asked if he was there to support Diddy, West simply responded with a slow nod and a clear "Yes".
This wasn't just a casual visit. West has been a vocal supporter of Diddy, 55, since Combs' arrest in September 2024 on serious federal charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Ye even posted "FREE PUFF" on X in February, calling out other celebrities for their silence, and later shared a song featuring Diddy from behind bars, which reportedly caused tension with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian. He has also previously stated that Diddy plays a mentorship role in his life and he regularly seeks his advice.
Despite his visible support, West's presence inside the courthouse was short-lived. According to CNN and Page Six, he wasn't on the official attendee list for the main courtroom. Consequently, he was redirected to an overflow courtroom, where he watched proceedings via closed-circuit video for less than an hour — about 30 to 50 minutes — before exiting the building. He left with Christian Combs and security, avoiding further questions as he got into a black Mercedes. Notably, his wife, Bianca Censori, was not by his side at the courthouse, even though she was reportedly in New York with him for a graduation party.
But the drama didn't end there! West's appearance immediately sparked speculation online, with some wondering if he was there "As a witness?" or if "Diddy must have tapes on him". Perhaps the most intriguing theory revolves around "Jane," a protected witness who testified the day before West's appearance. Jane's testimony included details about a January 2024 incident in Las Vegas with an unnamed "icon in the music industry" who was a close friend of Combs. Jane testified that this mystery rapper told her he had "always wanted to blank me" and that she witnessed him and his girlfriend watching an escort have sex with a woman. Some are assuming this unnamed rapper just might be West, given the "red flag behavior that West and his wife Bianca Censori have been known to partake in". West himself did not respond when asked if he was the world-famous rapper mentioned in Jane's shocking testimony.
The incident quickly drew a sharp reaction from fellow rapper 50 Cent, who launched a scathing attack on both West and Bianca Censori. Hours after Kanye's court appearance, the "In Da Club" rapper posted an AI-generated image of himself in a white outfit similar to West's court look. In a "savage Instagram caption," 50 Cent referenced Bianca Censori's "headline-making see-through outfit from the Grammy Awards earlier this year". He wrote, "We are wearing white in honor of the freak offs. Damn Ye, you should have brought your dirty little wife with that Grammys outfit!". The "freak offs" comment is interpreted as a direct jab at the explosive sexual assault allegations swirling around Combs, including disturbing testimonies about "wild sex parties".
50 Cent hasn't held back his opinions on Diddy's legal woes, also hitting back at rumors linking his ex, Daphne Joy, to Combs' alleged parties. He even vowed to personally lobby Donald Trump to ensure the president doesn't consider granting Diddy a pardon if he's convicted.
As Diddy continues to deny all allegations and plead not guilty, facing a potential life sentence if convicted, Kanye's brief, puzzling appearance and 50 Cent's fiery response only add more layers to this unfolding celebrity saga.