Latest news with #TrumpInternationalHotel
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Donald Trump Jr will not allow these Republicans in his $500k exclusive club
Donald Trump Jr's exclusive club Executive Branch is for the wealthiest but not for any rich person. Donald Trump Jr has a long list of people who will not get entry to his exclusive club, called the Executive Branch, that will open in June. It will be an invite-only club that will cost $500,000 to join. But some people will never be able to join: traditional Republicans, like Bush-era Republicans who mostly hate President Donald Trump and also frequent other Republican clubs, also fake news reporters and even a lobbyist. A New York Times report said President Trump is expected to drop by here now that he no longer has the Trump International Hotel, where he spent nights in his first term. The property was sold in 2022 and is now owned by the Waldorf Astoria chain. So Executive Branch will be his break zone when he can't travel to Mar-a-Lago. The club is not for any Saudi businessman, as they can visit any of the other clubs in the capital. Members of Don Jr's club don't want to be annoyed when they chill. Trump's crypto czar, David Sacks, who is a founding member of the club, said traditional Republicans won't be the members of this club. 'To the extent there are Republican clubs, they tend to be like more Bush-era Republicans as opposed to Trump-era Republicans,' Sacks said. 'So we wanted to create something new, hipper and Trump-aligned.' An Executive Branch spokesperson told the NYT there is another stringent barrier to entry: You must know one of the club's owners to get through the door. In addition to Don Jr and Sacks, the club is owned by Zach and Alex Witkoff, the sons of President Trump's Middle East envoy; Omeed Malik, who leads 1789 Capital; and Chris Buskirk, who co-founded the conservative donor group 'Rockbridge Network.' A CNBC report earlier said that the members would have to be heavily vetted and approved by its founders.
Miami Herald
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Five Key Moments From Sean ‘Diddy' Combs' Ongoing Sex Trafficking Trial
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday will resume their case against Sean "Diddy" Combs, whose sex trafficking trial has included stirring and often lurid testimony throughout two sensational weeks. Here's a recap of five crucial moments from the courtroom in Lower Manhattan that may play an outsized role as the jury of eight men and four women weighs the fate of Combs, 55, who faces up to life in prison if found guilty. Judge Arun Subramanian said Thursday he hopes the trial will conclude prior to the July Fourth holiday weekend. Casandra Ventura, the star witness in the sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy case against Combs, testified over four days last week - detailing instances of physical, sexual and psychological abuse during her 11-year relationship with the Bad Bay Records founder. The 38-year-old R&B singer, who goes by Cassie professionally, is expecting her third child with husband Alex Fine in weeks. Heavily pregnant, she broke down on the stand while recalling the extended and sometimes violent drug-fueled sex sessions with escorts known as "freak offs." "How did you feel during the freak offs when Sean beat you?" prosecutor Emily Johnson asked Ventura, who began to get emotional. "Worthless, like dirt," she testified as jurors and Combs watched on intently. "Like I didn't matter to him. Like I was nothing, absolutely nothing." Rapper Kid Cudi, who briefly dated Ventura in 2011 while she was on a break with Combs, told jurors that Combs broke into his Los Angeles home late that year and then torched his black Porsche 911 weeks later in January 2012. Cudi testified that Combs was livid that the Grammy-winning rapper had been seeing Ventura romantically, even spending the holidays with her family in Connecticut. No criminal charges were filed in either incident, although Cudi, 41, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, insisted in court that Combs "had something to do" with the Molotov cocktail placed inside his totaled Porsche. That testimony prompted an objection from Combs' attorneys. Judge Subramanian sustained the objection, telling jurors to ignore the accusation. The two rap stars then arranged a meeting after the car bombing at the Soho House hotel in Los Angeles, where Combs arrived first and stood near a window with his hands clasped behind his back "like a Marvel supervillain," Cudi testified. Combs and Cudi ultimately shook hands, although the tense meeting didn't provide the answers Cudi sought, he told jurors. "What are we going to do about my car?" Cudi recalled asking Combs. "I don't know what you're talking about," Combs replied, according to Cudi's much-anticipated testimony. Sharay Hayes, a male escort known as "The Punisher," told jurors about the dozen "freak offs" he had with Combs and Ventura between 2012 and 2015, earning up to $2,000 per sessions at luxury locales in New York, including the Trump International Hotel overlooking Central Park. Hayes, 51, said he was hired to create a "sexy scene" while doused in baby oil with Ventura as Combs masturbated nearby. The R&B singer paid him for the encounters, which included unprotected sex, he testified. The hulking escort said he had trouble maintaining an erection as Combs demanded he and Ventura have intercourse during their final liaison in March 2015. But Hayes said he never sensed at the time that Ventura had been uncomfortable during their meetings. "I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on," Hayes testified. "It seemed like it was consensual as far as I was concerned." George Kaplan, 34, told jurors he worked up to 100 hours per week as Combs' former executive assistant from late 2013 through 2015, often setting up hotel rooms in advance of drug-fueled romps in Los Angeles, New York and Miami. Combs, who used an alias of "Frank Black," would typically stay for as little as 12 hours or up to several days, leaving behind empty Gatorade bottles, baby oil and "brown crystalized powder" on one occasion, Kaplan testified. Kaplan said he saw Combs get violent with Ventura during an incident on his private jet in 2015 and spotted the singer with bruises on her eyebrow and face during a visit to Combs' home later that year. Kaplan, who testified after being subpoenaed by federal prosecutors, said Combs' "physical behavior" ultimately prompted him to leave his job. "In my heart of hearts, I knew it was the right thing to do," said Kaplan, who did not notify authorities in either alleged attack. But Kaplan also spoke glowingly of his former boss, insisting Combs' "infectious vibration" and intense work ethic had helped him grow as an aspiring executive. "I'm a young man and this is a God among men talking to me," Kaplan testified. "He not only pushed me to my depth, he pushed me to depths I didn't even know I had." Gerard Gannon, a federal agent who searched Combs' 20,000-square-foot Miami mansion in March 2024, testified that he was among 80 to 90 investigators who descended upon the property and found AR-15 components along with sex toys and dozens of bottles of baby oil and lubricant. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also seized three cellphones found inside a Balenciaga boot, a Gucci pouch stuffed with ketamine and MDMA and a .45-caliber handgun discovered tucked away in a red suitcase. The serial numbers on the disassembled AR-15 components had been defaced, but the high-powered weapons were not operable as found, Gannon said. He displayed the weapons to the jury, as well as one pair of seven-inch red heels found inside Combs' closet. Twelve other pairs of similar stilettos were recovered in all, the agent testified. Attorneys for Combs had previously characterized last year's raid as a "gross overuse of military-level force," but Teny Geragos tried a different tact during cross-examination of Gannon on Tuesday - asking the agent if he owns a gun as a resident of Florida. Gannon, who confirmed he did as part of his federal role, responded to Geragos' questioning as two of Combs' sons entered the courtroom. Combs and his family, meanwhile, were not present at the Star Island mansion during the raid. Gannon said agents waited until the mogul departed for a trip with his relatives prior to executing the search warrant. Despite nearly two weeks of lurid testimony, in which the defense even acknowledged their client as a domestic abuser, the prosecution's top charge of sex trafficking has not yet been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, according to legal analysts who spoke with Newsweek. That is largely due to contemporaneous texts between Ventura and Combs shown in court, which suggest she was a willing participant in the "freak offs" at the time, the analysts said. To that argument, Dr. Dawn Hughes, a forensic psychologist, testified as a prosecution witness, explaining to jurors why some victims stay in abusive relationships, including psychological bonds or deep-rooted love for their partner. "They experience a tremendous amount of shame, humiliation, degradation," Hughes said of sexual abuse victims. "They don't want to talk about it. They don't even want to think about it in their own brain." Hughes, who provided testimony as a so-called "blind expert," had not interviewed Combs or the alleged victims in the case, she acknowledged. Former Combs' employee Capricorn Clark is scheduled testify next when the case resumes on Tuesday, followed by Los Angeles police and fire officials. Related Articles 'Diddy' Looked Like Marvel Supervillain After Car Blew Up: Kid CudiSean 'Diddy' Combs Juror Appears to Fall Asleep During CourtDonald Trump Hotel Gets Dragged Into Sean 'Diddy' Combs TrialDiddy Trial Going His Way So Far, Legal Analysts Say: 'Acquittal Likely' 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Exotic Dancer 'The Punisher' Testifies About One Significant Problem He Had During Diddy's 'Freak-Offs'
Sharay Hayes, an exotic dancer who goes by 'The Punisher,' took the witness stand this week to recount the times he interacted with Sean 'Diddy' Combs and the rapper's ex-girlfriend, Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura. However, he said their sexual interactions were stunted by a few things that caught him off guard. Hayes testified Tuesday that when he was first hired by the celebrity couple, he would just do a striptease. He then arrived at the Trump International Hotel in New York to find Ventura alone wearing a bathrobe and wig. Hayes said she told him she wanted to create a sexual, erotic scene for her husband with baby oil. Hayes, going along with it, said eventually Combs came into the room to watch. However, he said the rapper wore a disguise similar to an Islamic head covering, hiding his head but exposing his eyes. Hayes said he was ordered not to acknowledge Combs. Yet, he also testified that Combs began giving them orders on how he wanted the two to perform. After a few times of participating in the freak-offs, Hayes said he started having performance issues. After trying Cialis, Viagra and a 'corner-store pill,' nothing seemed to work, he said. Then, he figured out he had experienced erectile dysfunctions due to anxiety from Combs' directions. 'Me, personally, a sexual scenario with a woman's partner present actively giving directions was not the norm for me, so it created some discomfort that could affect my performance,' Hayes testified. After failing to maintain his erections, the man testified that he was no longer asked to come back for a freak-off. The allegations against Combs of sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses were first brought forth by ex-girlfriend and Bad Boy Records signee Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura in a lawsuit. The most notable claims were about his so-called 'freak off' sex parties, where prosecutors allege the singer was drugged and forced to perform sexual acts with male sex workers at Combs' pleasure. Ventura's suit says she was ordered to scout and hire the workers herself. Combs was also accused of using video footage to blackmail the singer into compliance. The two settled the day after the suit was filed. Combs is facing multiple counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. His indictment cites three anonymous victims in addition to Ventura. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Diddy trial updates: Rapper 'dressed as Muslim woman in BURQA to disguise himself during first 'freak off' with "Punisher" escort'
The Punisher says Diddy wore a veil during his first freak off encounter Escort Sharay Hayes described his first encounter with Diddy and Cassie to the court on Tuesday. 'There was an area for me to sit and her to sit and there were little bowls of water and bottles of baby oil,' he said of the meeting at the Trump International Hotel on Central Park West. 'Ms Ventura got on the sofa opposite me and I followed, mimicked what she did. She got a bottle of baby oil and started pouring it on herself and I did similar. 'A few minutes (later) I could see her husband enter the room. The man was nude but I could not see his face, there was a veil I could see he had a bottle of astroglide. At some point the man stood up and left the room, Ms Ventura follow him out.' He said he was paid an additional $1,200 when he was done. When asked, the witness said he had between eight and 12 total encounters with the couple. He said he'd also met with them at Essex House, a luxurious hotel on Central Park South, just a stone's throw from the Trump International Hotel. Hayes added that as Combs became more comfortable in his presence, he switched from wearing a veil to a baseball cap.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Hotel Gets Dragged Into Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant said the rapper and music mogul's favorite hotel in New York City was the Trump International Hotel. David James, who worked as Combs' assistant from 2007 to 2009, continued his testimony on Tuesday. He detailed how he would set up hotel rooms for Combs with his clothes, toiletry bag, medicine bag, applesauce, Jell-O and Fiji Water. 'Trump International, they knew me very well, they gave me a key," James said. Why It Matters Combs is charged federally with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial has included various mentions of celebrities, high-profile individuals and famous locations, now including President Donald Trump's New York City hotel. Trump International Hotel at One Central Park West in New York City, as seen on February 18, 2024. Trump International Hotel at One Central Park West in New York City, as seen on February 18, 2024. zz/Andrea Renault/STAR MAX/IPx What To Know James said Combs' toiletry bag had about 40 products, including hair dye. He said Combs also had a Louis Vuitton pouch with about $10,000 in cash and up to 30 medicine bottles, with some unmarked. James said the medications included Viagra, sperm count pills, ecstasy and Percocet. He testified that one of the medications featured former President Barack Obama's face. "There were various pills, but one was in the form of a former president's face," James said. James said he saw Combs take ecstasy and Percocet on a regular basis. "I would say every day," James said. James recalled taking ecstasy at a New Year's Eve party in Miami. He later learned that the party had been videotaped. He said he was also tasked with purchasing baby oil, lube and condoms for Combs. Combs told James to pay for the items in cash so they would not be linked back to Combs, according to James' testimony. James said he had to take lie detector tests twice during his employment: once after cash went missing and once after a watch went missing. He passed both times. James said he decided to leave the position after a 2008 incident involving record executive Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr. James said a friend of Combs spotted Knight at Mel's Diner in Los Angeles. When the friend informed Combs, Combs grabbed three guns and told James to drive to the diner. "This was the first time as his assistant that I realized my life was in danger. I told them I want to leave but give six months notice so I could train the next assistant," James said. Sharay Hayes, a male escort, also testified on Tuesday. Hayes said he had his first encounter with Combs and former partner Cassie Ventura at Trump International Hotel in New York City. He testified that Ventura told him to "create a sexy scene of me and her applying baby oil on each other and create a sexy environment" for Combs to watch. What People Are Saying David James recalled taking the lie detector tests in his testimony: "It was very intimidating." Sharay Hayes recalled Cassie Ventura's instructions regarding Sean "Diddy" Combs in his testimony: "Try not to look at him and no communication." What Happens Next The prosecution is expected to continue calling witnesses as the second week of Combs' trial unfolds. The trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
