Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Former assistant Brendan Paul to testify
The fate of a juror who might have spoken improperly about the case with a former colleague was left unresolved yesterday when Judge Arun Subramanian left the bench yesterday. Another juror had been dismissed earlier yesterday after he allegedly gave conflicting answers about where he lives.
Former Combs assistant Brendan Paul is expected to take the witness stand today.
Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him.
This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
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5 days ago
- Metro
Kid Cudi 'hated every minute' of testifying against Diddy
Kid Cudi has shared how uncomfortable he felt at the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs but wanted to 'support' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The 41-year-old rapper was subpoenaed in the federal case against the Bad Boy Records founder, 55,regarding home invasion allegedly linked to Combs. He was convicted of transporting Ventura and another former girlfriend, only known as Jane Doe, for prostitution but was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. During the trial, Kid Cudi — real name Scott Mescudi — took the stand as a key witness, having dated Ventura after her split with Combs in 2011. 'I hated every minute of it. I did not want to do it,' the Grammy winner revealed on the Call Her Daddy podcast. Cudi testified that when Combs discovered his relationship with Ventura, the I'll Be Missing You singer broke into his home in Hollywood. It was also alleged that the music mogul had threatened to blow up his car, which was later firebombed, but there was no evidence linking Combs to the attack. While Cudi said he felt 'calm' walking into the courtroom on May 22, he was 'there because I had to be' and revealed he initially declined requests from prosecutors to testify. He stressed about having to wear a suit and 'dress up' for the occasion, eventually opting for something more casual. 'I'm not dressing up for this.' Cudi told host Alex Cooper. 'Wearing some hard bottoms? I'm wearing some Salomons and I'm coming in there with my Levi's and my leather jacket, and that's it.' Despite not wanting to go, the Day 'n' Nite rapper said he found 'peace' in the idea that he was doing this for Ventura. Cudi shared: 'Cassie is my friend. I love her, and I want to see her do well. 'When I saw her get married, I was so happy for her that she found someone, her person. When I saw that she was having kids, I was like, 'Oh this is so awesome.' 'I've always just wanted to see her thrive and do well and be happy, because I know she was living a nightmare. I was there to support her.' Ventura was visibly pregnant at the time she took the stand and gave birth to her third child with husband Alex Fine at the end of May 2025. In addition to being a key witness in the federal RICO case, in 2023, she filed a lawsuit against Combs, who she was in a long-term relationship between 2007 and 2018. She was awarded a $20million settlement after a video, captured in 2016, surfaced online of Combs grabbing and beating her in a hotel hallway. Describing his life during his brief relationship with Ventura, Cudi called it 'crazy' and admitted he had 'a hard time understanding if this was reality'. More Trending The experience left the rapper feeling more withdrawn from public life, admitting he was already 'standoffish' but now rarely goes out in Los Angeles. When on the stand, Cudi reflected on running into Combs at Soho House in 2015, where the dad-of-seven reportedly pulled him aside to apologise. 'That was the last thing I was expecting to get from him,' the Better Place rapper admitted, adding that he 'found peace' from the interaction. View More » After the trial in May, he wrote on social media and thanked fans for their support, adding: 'This was a stressful situation. I'm glad it's behind me.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Leonardo DiCaprio reveals his 'biggest regret' after turning down surprising 90s role MORE: James Cameron struggling to write 'new Terminator film' over stark sci-fi fears MORE: Drag Me to Hell horror film star Lorna Raver dies aged 81
Metro
08-08-2025
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer denies knowledge of Trump pardon
Last month, it was reported that President Donald Trump was 'seriously considering' pardoning Sean 'Diddy' Combs after he was found guilty of two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution in a highly publicised trial. However, the music mogul's lawyer has now rebutted any knowledge of such a thing. In early July, following three days of jury deliberations, Combs, 55, was handed a guilty verdict for two of the five charges he faced in his racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking trial. He was found not guilty of the most serious offences. Having been denied bail, the rapper remains in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for October. Recently, it was claimed by a member of Combs' legal team that they had contacted the Trump administration for a potential pardon. Consequently, a petition was signed by thousands of people, demanding that the pardon not happen. Speaking to CNN, lawyer Nicole Westmoreland said: 'It's my understanding that we've reached out (to the White House) and had conversations in reference to a pardon.' While no further details were divulged, Westmoreland added said her client is 'a very hopeful person', adding: 'I believe that he remains hopeful.' A pardon exempts a convicted person from serving their sentence. It represents legal forgiveness, restoring a person's rights, such as being able to vote or run for public office. So far, in his role as the 47th president of the United States, Trump, 79, has pardoned over 1,500 individuals. However, another of Combs' lawyers has now said he doesn't believe the musician will be added to the list. Combs' lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told CBS News that he has no knowledge of the alleged pardon, saying: 'I have nothing to do with a possible pardon.' 'I have had conversations with nobody. I have not spoken to the president. I have not spoken to anybody who speaks to the president about Sean Combs. I have not,' he added. Agnifilo also clarified that a possible pardon has not been discussed with Combs either, except for informing him of what's been reported in the press. 'He says, 'Go tell him (Trump) that I need a pardon. Go tell him I deserve a pardon.' That's what he said.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video While a senior official in the president's administration declined to comment on the matter to CBS, they said that any decision reached would be announced directly by Trump. The Republican leader has previously spoken about Combs publicly, stating that he would 'certainly look at the facts' regarding a pardon for the American producer. 'I know people are thinking about it,' he told a press conference in May. 'People have been very close to asking.' He added: 'I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody is mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me.' However, last week, Trump commented further, saying Combs, who pleaded not guilty to all his charges, was 'half-innocent'. He also said it was 'more likely a no' that he would be pardoned. Trump, who also served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021, was once on good terms with Combs, having been called a 'friend' by the former Apprentice host. In 2015, shortly after Trump launched his first campaign, Combs also declared him 'a friend of mine', with Trump having previously attended several of Combs' VIP parties and events in New York. Expanding on their so-called relationship, the president said in May that they hadn't seen each other or spoken 'in years'. 'He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. I read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.' Trump doubled down once again on August 1, telling Newsmax host Rob Finnerty: 'I got along with him great, and [he] seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. 'But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. It's hard, you know? We're human beings. And we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right? 'But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements. So I don't know … it makes it more difficult to do.' The remarks Trump was referring to are likely those from 2017 when Combs told the Daily Beast: 'I think that, to be honest, we don't really give a f**k about Trump, because [Black people are] in the same f***ed-up position. So that's not what we're on.' In 2020, he added to radio host Charlamagne tha God that 'white men like Trump need to be banished' because their 'way of thinking is real dangerous'. 'This man literally threatened the lives of us and our families about going to vote … The number one priority is to get Trump out of office,' he commented. More Trending Currently, Combs, who was arrested in September last year, is facing up to 20 years behind bars, but a much shorter sentence is expected. Instead, it has been estimated that he could serve two to five years, taking into account his time already served. Combs' attorneys have requested bail a number of times already, including on the day of his verdict. All have been denied. Judge Arun Subramanian will ultimately decide his fate when he returns to court on October 3. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. 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Metro
07-08-2025
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Diddy branded 'delusional' over plans to launch music comeback with stadium show
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Sean 'Diddy' Combs is reportedly setting his sights on a return to the stage – and not just any stage. The embattled music mogul is aiming for Madison Square Garden once he puts his legal battle behind him, according to his lead attorney Marc Agnifilo. The 55-year-old musician had been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution after he was arrested last September – but denies all of the allegations and pleaded not guilty. At the start of July, Combs was convicted of transporting Ventura and another former girlfriend, only known as Jane, for prostitution. He was found not guilty of racketeering and of sex trafficking in the case of both women. In an interview with CBS Mornings set to air Thursday, Agnifilo revealed that Combs, 55, has expressed a clear goal during his time behind bars: to headline a comeback show at the legendary New York City venue. [He's going to be back at Madison Square Garden – and I said I'll be there,' Agnifilo told CBS's Jericka Duncan. Duncan asked the attorney, 'So he's talked to you about getting back into music?' to which Agnifilo replied, 'No – honestly, he has not – OK, one thing he said, he said' was that he's 'going to be back in Madison Square Garden.' Asked what he would do in the performance, Agnifilo replied, 'I guess being on stage, you know?' People on social media were quick to react incredulously, with X user @Marge1902 writing: 'No. There can't be any people who would want to see him.' @CoalitionHoops posted: 'This man can't be serious!' @erikaxtc called him delusional, writing: 'The delusion is REAL!' catsmamma5 wrote: 'This man thinks nothing matters and this are justified and back to normal for everything 🙄 . HIS ARROGANCE IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL The lawyer described Combs as someone who 'always strives to do something exceptional and probably demanding and challenging.' According to the lawyer, Combs is also motivated by a longing to reconnect with his family. 'I think he wants to get out of jail, reestablish a loving, present relationship with all of his seven children,' Agnifilo said. 'Get back with his mother, and the people who love him and miss him.' The news comes as Combs' legal team continues discussions with members of Donald Trump's administration about the possibility of a presidential pardon. A source close to the administration has told Deadline that Trump, 79, is 'seriously considering' giving Combs a Presidential pardon. Speaking with Newsmax on Friday, Trump gave a characteristically vague assessment of Combs' legal predicament. 'Well, he was essentially, sort of, half-innocent,' Trump said. 'I don't know what they do that he's still in jail or something. He was celebrating a victory but I guess it wasn't as good a victory.' Another member of the defense, attorney Nicole Westmoreland, told CNN earlier this week that conversations regarding a pardon have taken place. 'It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon,' she said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This comes just a couple of months after the president publicly entertained the idea of a pardon in the Oval Office, admitting he hadn't been following the story too closely. More Trending Combs is reportedly holding out hope that his decades-long connection to Trump could influence the former president's decision. While the details of Combs' incarceration and legal case remain under wraps, Agnifilo said his client is using the time to reflect. 'He's focusing on the blessings that he's been given, on the imperfections that I think he sees in himself.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Britney Spears' ex Kevin Federline to reveal all in 'extremely intimate and transparent' book MORE: Former child star admits going to 'weight loss camp' to be cast in Hunger Games MORE: Superman actor Dean Cain reveals shock decision to join ICE 'to help save America'
