Sean Combs: Kanye makes an appearance.

Summary

Dateline NBC Summary: Sean Combs Trial and Kanye West's Courthouse Appearance

Episode Title: Sean Combs: Kanye makes an appearance
Release Date: June 14, 2025
Host: NBC News
Description: Current and classic episodes featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries, and in-depth investigations.

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1. Introduction to the Sean Combs Trial

The episode delves into the ongoing racketeering trial of Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Hosted by Andrea Canning, the discussion is enriched by insights from NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas.

2. Testimony of Jonathan Perez

Jonathan Perez, Sean Combs' former personal assistant, was subpoenaed to testify against his former boss. Initially reluctant, Perez decided to cooperate with the prosecution.

• Andrea Canning introduces the session:
  "[01:28] Andrea Canning: This is on Trial, a special series from DATELINE True Crime Weekly bringing you daily coverage from the Sean Combs racketeering trial."

• Chloe Melas observes Perez's demeanor:
  "[02:40] Chloe Melas: Jonathan had such a calm, affable demeanor. I watched him on the stand this afternoon and he testified that he really enjoyed working for Combs and that he still respects him present day."
  "And Diddy seemed pretty positive during the testimony and I can see why."

3. Unveiling "King Nights" and "Hotel Nights"

The prosecution introduced terms like "freak offs" and "king nights," which Perez confirmed as synonymous activities involving extravagant hotel events orchestrated by Combs and his staff.

• Andrea Canning clarifies the terminology:
  "[03:02] Andrea Canning: So he worked with Sean Combs when Cassie Ventura's lawsuit was filed."
  "...now we're starting to learn that they're all synonymous."

• Chloe Melas details Perez's role:
  "[03:34] Andrea Canning: Okay, so what did we learn about his routine of preparing for these nights?"
  "[03:39] Chloe Melas: So Jonathan testified that he would set up everything from baby oil lighting, getting food and beverages... he characterized all of this as just the personal side of his job."

4. Text Message Evidence Involving Christina "KK" Coram

The prosecution presented text messages between Perez and Christina Coram (referred to as "KK"), highlighting potential conspiracies in organizing the illicit activities.

• Chloe Melas explains the strategy:
  "[06:09] Chloe Melas: ...the government is trying to try to show that Combs was carrying out illegal activity via these king nights, these hotel nights, and using employees to help carry out that illicit activity."

• Notable Text Exchange:
  "[07:02] Andrea Canning: Why did they read those text messages?"
  "[07:02] Chloe Melas: You have KK saying is PD meaning is Puff Daddy at the hotel yet? To which Jonathan responds, he's on the way per security."

5. Incident Involving a Video on a Work iPad

Perez testified about discovering a video of Jane (a pseudonym for a female associate) engaged in sexual activities with an escort, which included Sean Combs. This video was found on a work-issued iPad, raising questions about the blending of personal and professional boundaries.

• Andrea Canning probes into the incident:
  "[07:13] Chloe Melas: ...someone else who was working for Diddy found a video of Jane having sex with another man... and there's discussion as to how could that have gotten on there."

• Chloe Melas highlights defense's counterargument:
  "[07:02] Chloe Melas: ...Brian Steele is really trying to separate the lines that the government is trying to blur that there were things that happened on the clock and off the clock..."

6. Juror Number Six Controversy

Juror number six became a point of contention when questions arose about his residency and potential biases, though the judge deemed him technically qualified despite some confusion over his living arrangements.

• Chloe Melas reports on the issue:
  "[10:33] Chloe Melas: ...the juror had been slightly confused, but not deceitful. That's how the judge characterized it."
  "[10:45] Andrea Canning: ...Diddy's legal defense team strongly opposes this."

7. Kanye West's Courthouse Appearance

A major highlight of the episode was Kanye West's unexpected appearance at the federal courthouse. Arriving in a Maybach, Kanye was met by media attention but did not enter the courtroom. Instead, he was escorted to an overflow room, where he mingled briefly before leaving to have lunch with Combs' family.

• Chloe Melas details the event:
  "[13:18] Chloe Melas: He pulled up in a Maybach, cameras swarmed him and our own pool camera actually got it."
  "[13:40] Chloe Melas: ...he actually was taken to the 23rd floor... We don't know why he didn't go into the actual courtroom."

• Interview with Luch, Combs' Friend:
  "[14:19] Luch: That was his choice... he just came in to show some Love."

• Speculation on Testimony:
  "[14:19] Chloe Melas: ...there is no indication that he's going to be called as a defense witness. But Luch did say that he expects Kanye to come back at some point, so we could see that again next week."

8. Potential Testimony of Sean Combs

Questions were raised about whether Sean Combs himself would testify during the trial. According to Luch, there is uncertainty regarding this possibility.

• Andrea Canning inquires:
  "[15:30] Andrea Canning: ...is there any chance that Sean Combs himself would testify?"

• Response from Luch:
  "[15:34] Luch: ...I don't know. I won't know."

9. Trial Progress and Future Proceedings

The prosecution is nearing the end of its case with only a few more witnesses expected. The defense is set to begin presenting its side soon after.

• Chloe Melas provides an update:
  "[15:22] Chloe Melas: They have a summary witness, and we could see a few of those. So they could be finished as early as Wednesday, and we could see Diddy's team start Thursday."

10. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with anticipation for the defense's arguments and the potential for further high-profile appearances, such as Kanye West's involvement in the trial. Listeners are encouraged to follow updates through NBC's platforms.

• Andrea Canning closes the discussion:
  "[15:45] Andrea Canning: ...enjoy your weekend. Thank you all for listening. We'll be back with a new episode on Monday."

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Notable Quotes

1. Chloe Melas on Perez's Testimony:
   "[02:40] 'Jonathan had such a calm, affable demeanor... he still respects him present day.'"

2. Andrea Canning on Text Messages:
   "[07:02] 'Why did they read those text messages?'"

3. Luch on Kanye's Appearance:
   "[14:19] 'He just came in to show some Love.'"

4. Chloe Melas on Juror Issues:
   "[10:33] 'The juror had been slightly confused, but not deceitful.'"

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Key Insights and Conclusions

• The trial against Sean Combs is intensifying with detailed testimonies uncovering the inner workings of his personal and professional life.
• The involvement of high-profile individuals like Kanye West adds a layer of public and media interest, potentially influencing public perception.
• The defense strategy appears to focus on separating personal indiscretions from business operations, challenging the prosecution's narrative of systemic wrongdoing.
• Ongoing issues with jury impartiality highlight the complexities of ensuring a fair trial in high-stakes celebrity cases.

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the Sean Combs trial, offering listeners an in-depth understanding of the proceedings, key testimonies, and the broader implications of celebrity involvement in legal battles.

Transcript

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[Andrea Canning]

This is on Trial, a special series from DATELINE True Crime Weekly bringing you daily coverage from the Sean Combs racketeering trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. I'm Andrea Canning and it's Friday, June 13th. Just a heads up. In this episode, we're going to be talking about some graphic details and harrowing subject matter. Today was eventful both inside and briefly outside the courtroom, the prosecution called to the stand yet another witness who once worked as Combs personal assistant. According to prosecutors, his text messages showed the role Combs staff played in setting up his freak offs and maybe keeping them a secret. But the morning arrival of another controversial star stole the show. NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas is here to tell us what happened when Kanye West's Maybach pulled up to 500 Pearl street, the federal courthouse. Hey Chloe.

[Chloe Melas]

Hey Andrea.

[Andrea Canning]

We will get to that Kanye west appearance in a few minutes. But first let's talk about Combs former assistant Jonathan Perez. He was subpoenaed. He didn't want to testify against his one time boss, but he did.

[Chloe Melas]

Jonathan had such a calm, affable demeanor. I watched him on the stand this afternoon and he testified that he really enjoyed working for Combs and that he still respects him present day. And Diddy seemed pretty positive during the testimony and I can see why.

[Andrea Canning]

So he worked with Sean Combs when Cassie Ventura's lawsuit was filed.

[Chloe Melas]

He did. And he also overlapped with Jane. And he was one of the people that helped set up those hotel nights. But it was something that he called king nights.

[Andrea Canning]

Yeah. Now we have freak offs, hotel nights and king nights.

[Chloe Melas]

And we had heard some of those terms in different civil suits, Andrea, that had been filed in the months leading up to this trial. But now we're starting to learn that they're all synonymous.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, so what did we learn about his routine of preparing for these nights?

[Chloe Melas]

So Jonathan testified that he would set up everything from baby oil lighting, getting food and beverages. There was at least one occasion, he testified that the hotel room in New York City was under his own name. But he characterized all of this as just the personal side of his job. That 99% of his time, that's exactly what he said was spent on business, doing the love album, business meetings. And that only 1% of his time was. Was setting up or cleaning up after these hotel nights and getting drugs was something that, yes, he had done. But again, it only took up a little bit of his time. He also testified under cross examination, when Brian Steele got up there, he said that sometimes work and personal all blurred together, and he has no idea if company funds were used to pay for any of those illegal things.

[Andrea Canning]

He also, he testified, was required to frequent sex shops.

[Chloe Melas]

Yes. So Jonathan on the stand said that he would get lingerie, he would go buy it for Jane, he would go to sex shops, but that he really considered this to be personal time between Diddy and whatever girlfriend he was with, whether it was Jane or somebody else. Yeah.

[Andrea Canning]

Perez also testified that he and other staff members would clean up the room after the nights. We've heard a little bit about that from other witnesses.

[Chloe Melas]

So there's two ways to look at this, Andrea, at cleaning up these hotel rooms. The prosecution paints it as they're cleaning up because they don't want anybody to know about these freak offs, these hotel nights, these king nights, because they don't want anyone to know that escorts were there. They don't want the public to find out. They don't want the hotel to find out. But on cross examination, you have Jonathan Perez telling Brian Steele that this was actually done because they didn't want the hotel staff to have to clean up baby oil and go into a really dirty, messy, chaotic room. And Brian Steele said. So you're doing this to be helpful. To which Jonathan testified. Yes.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay. Chloe. What felt new today was that the prosecution read a number of points. Perez's text with Christina Coram or kk, who was helping to run Combs day to day schedule. Why did they read those text messages?

[Chloe Melas]

We have heard so much about her, and the big question I get all the time is, is KK gonna testify? And I actually spoke to someone familiar with Diddy's defense strategy, and they say that she is absolutely not stepping foot in this courthouse. Prosecutors are trying to paint her as a co conspirator. Who was Combs conspiring with? And so when you're looking at these text messages today, you have KK saying is PD meaning is Puff Daddy at the hotel yet? To which Jonathan responds, he's on the way per security. And then you have kk who's liking the message. So what they're trying to do with these text messages, the government, is to try to show that Combs was carrying out illegal activity via these king nights, these hotel nights, and using employees to help carry out that illicit activity.

[Andrea Canning]

The prosecutor asked Perez about an incident involving a video he found of one of the freak offs and how KK handled that. What did Perez testify that she did?

[Chloe Melas]

We've learned throughout this trial that Diddy enjoyed filming at times, these sexual encounters with these male escorts, whether it was with Cassie or with Jane. And in this particular instance, Jonathan, he testified that somebody else who was working for Diddy found a video of Jane having sex with another man, potentially an escort. And Diddy's in the video. So this is found on an iPad in the house. And he testifies that he reaches out to KK and. And he's like, this is not good. Right? This is on the work iPad. And there's discussion as to how could that have gotten on there. Right? But on cross examination, you have Steel saying, okay, so this is a work iPad. You basically freak out when you find this because this type of personal video, you've never seen anything like it before on a work laptop or a work iPad. And you're concerned because this is personal. So Brian Steele is really trying to separate the lines that the government is trying to blur that there were things that happened on the clock and off the clock, and there were things that employees knew and things that they didn't.

[Andrea Canning]

Christina, KK hasn't spoken out much since her name has been brought up in the Combs allegations. From first in a number of civil suits against him and now multiple times at trial. Chloe, she did release a statement to Rolling Stone back in March.

[Chloe Melas]

Right? And we've read parts of this to you all before, but some of what she said was that for months, horrific Accusations have been made about me in various lawsuits regarding my former boss and that she's confident that these allegations against her will be proven to be untrue.

[Andrea Canning]

On cross examination, Combs defense attorney Brian Steele asked Perez about Jane, pseudonym Jane, and whether he thought she was reluctant to participate in the hotel nights, as she called them.

[Chloe Melas]

You have him being called as a government witness, and he's up there because he's worked for Combs for years. He worked for Combs right up until he was arrested in September 2024. This isn't somebody with a hazy memory who is talking about something that happened 10 years ago. This is seemingly fresh. And Brian Steele says, did you ever get the feeling that Jane was hesitant to participate in King Knights? He says, no. Steele says that she was a willing participant. Jonathan testified, yes. Steel then says, was she ever upset or unhappy after a King night? Jonathan testifies, no.

[Andrea Canning]

Oh, that's big.

[Chloe Melas]

And we also know. Yes. And we also know that Jonathan was, according to his testimony, close with Jane. He would shop for her, not just lingerie, that she trusted him, that he had her best interest at heart, and he would see her often because it sounds like Jonathan Perez was a fixture in Combs day to day life for years.

[Andrea Canning]

Chloe, we have been talking this week about juror number six and possible issues with that juror, and you have a big update.

[Chloe Melas]

So the issue was about where the juror lives, whether or not he still lives in the Bronx, and that the juror had been slightly confused, but not deceitful. That's how the judge characterized it. We also learned that this came to light because he himself had said something to the jury staff. Offhand, he seemed to have said something about recently moving in with his girlfriend and his daughter in New Jersey. So the judge said, even if he is technically qualified as to where he lives, there are serious questions about his propriety here. I just want to point out, though, that this is strongly being opposed by Diddy's legal defense team. So we shall see.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay. When we come back, only a handful of celebrities have come to Sean Combs defense in the year and a half since Cassie Ventura's lawsuit. But today, one superstar made a show of support.

[Jeff Lewis]

Hey, this is Jeff Lewis from Radio.

[Chloe Melas]

Andy live and uncensored. Catch me talking with my friends about my latest obsessions, relationship issues and bodily ailments.

[Jeff Lewis]

With that kind of drama that seems.

[Chloe Melas]

To follow me, you never know what's going to happen.

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[Andrea Canning]

All right, welcome back. So Chloe, you were hearing yesterday that Kanye west is in New York and was trying to come to Combs trial and that he did.

[Chloe Melas]

He pulled up in a Maybach, cameras swarmed him and our own pool camera actually got it.

[Jeff Lewis]

Kanye, why'd you show up today? You think about testifying, Kanye, who are.

[Advertiser]

You going to support him?

[Chloe Melas]

But he did not go into the courtroom. He actually was taken to the 23rd floor. The courtroom is on the 26th floor to something called an overflow room. We've told y' all about this before. This is where members of the public go. This is where media that doesn't make it into the courtroom that day go and you watch the trial on TV screens. We don't know why he didn't go into the actual courtroom. I did interview this afternoon a guy named Luch, who, he's a good friend of Diddy's. He's been in the courtroom every single day. And I interviewed him on NBC earlier and he said it was actually Kanye's decision not to go into the courtroom.

[Luch]

That was his choice. He didn't, he didn't want to go and show up nothing. So he just wanted to just show his love and you know what I'm saying? He was not trying to be all in the videos and all over the place. So he just came in to show some Love.

[Chloe Melas]

So there was some chatter that perhaps Kanye was here to testify, and that is not the case. We have no indication that he's going to be called as a defense witness. But Luch did say that he expects Kanye to come back at some point, so we could see that again next week.

[Andrea Canning]

Kanye was at the courthouse for about a half hour.

[Chloe Melas]

It's unclear if he was frustrated because he wasn't in the main courtroom or because they broke for lunch shortly after he got there and he didn't want to wait around. And I know from Luch that he actually left and had lunch with some of Combs's family and his kids around the corner, and people were just as excited about Kanye leaving.

[Jeff Lewis]

Kanye, we know you, Kanye. We know you, Kanye. I love you, bro. We love you, bro.

[Andrea Canning]

Chloe, the prosecution is still not done.

[Chloe Melas]

They have a summary witness, and we could see a few of those. So they could be finished as early as Wednesday, and we could see Diddy's team start Thursday.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay, and is there any chance that Sean Combs himself would testify?

[Chloe Melas]

I asked that to Luch today, and he said he had no idea.

[Luch]

That's not my area of expertise, so I wouldn't know that.

[Chloe Melas]

But is there a chance?

[Luch]

I don't know. I don't know. I won't know.

[Andrea Canning]

Okay. Thank you, Chloe. Enjoy your weekend.

[Chloe Melas]

Thank you. You too.

[Andrea Canning]

I hope all of our listeners enjoy their weekend. Thank you all for listening. We'll be back with a new episode on Monday. If you want to read the latest developments and analysis from inside the courtroom, check out the NBC newsletter. Diddy on trial. Go to nbcnews.com diddy to find that. On Trial is produced by Franny Kelly with help from the Dateline True Crime Weekly team. Our senior producers are Alison Orr and Liz Brown. Karloff original Music by Jesse McGinty. Paul Ryan is executive producer and Liz Cole is senior executive producer of Dateline.

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