Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Episode: Kanye Crashes Diddy’s Trial As Diddy’s Assistant Spills Everything | United States vs. Sean Combs Day 23
Release Date: June 14, 2025

Introduction

In this riveting episode of Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield, Ashleigh delves deep into the 23rd day of the high-profile federal sex trafficking trial against Sean "Diddy" Combs. With her signature irreverent style, Ashleigh navigates through a labyrinth of testimonies, courtroom drama, and unexpected celebrity appearances, providing listeners with a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the proceedings.

Kanye West's Unanticipated Appearance

Ashleigh opens the episode with a surprising twist: Kanye West's unexpected arrival at the courthouse. She remarks on Kanye's perennial penchant for drama, noting his recent name change from "Yay" to "Yay" and critiques his fluctuating public persona.

"Nothing like the artist that he used to be. He's just like, all about silly outfits and naked women and Hitler. And it's like, like, so Kanye, yay. Mr. Yay."
— Ashleigh Banfield [04:15]

Kanye's presence is meticulously timed, arriving just a day after explosive testimony about a fellow rapper involved in dubious activities. Ashleigh speculates on Kanye's motives, questioning whether his appearance is a strategic move related to the trial's developments. Despite his ostentatious entrance in a luxurious Maybach and pure white denim, Kanye's actual time in the courtroom was brief—mere eight minutes in the overflow room—leaving Ashleigh both bemused and critical of his fleeting display of support.

"Kanye was actually in the courthouse for about 40 minutes, and they were, like, trying to peek through the glass and watch him as he's going through security."
— Ashleigh Banfield [09:50]

Prosecution's Key Witness: Jonathan Perez

The heart of Day 23's proceedings centers on Jonathan Perez, a former personal assistant to Diddy, whose testimony provides a damning insider's view of Combs' alleged illegal activities.

Details of the Raid

Ashleigh recounts Special Agent Andre Lemon's testimony regarding the sweeping raids on Diddy's Los Angeles and Miami properties. The agents uncovered a trove of illicit items, including:

• Ketamine: Eight bags found in Diddy's bedroom.
• MDMA: Brown particles discovered in a hidden safe.
• Astro Glide: Approximately 900 bottles stored in the garage.
• Firearms: Multiple rifles and pistols with scratched-off serial numbers, rendering them untraceable.

"He showed the jury one of the envelopes that was found in Diddy's nightstand, and inside the envelope were little, small plastic bags of white powder."
— Ashleigh Banfield [07:30]

The meticulous nature of the search paints a picture of Diddy's opulent lifestyle intertwined with potential criminal undertakings.

King Nights and Underground Activities

Perez's testimony unveils the orchestrated "King Nights" — elaborate, extended gatherings dubbed by Diddy as personal time to unwind. These events, laden with drugs, sexual activities, and extravagant setups, were meticulously organized using company resources.

"King Nights, AKA freak offs or hotel nights, or how many. How many GD names can they call these sex parties?"
— Ashleigh Banfield [11:40]

Perez details his responsibilities, which included arranging supplies ranging from food and liquor to adult essentials like condoms and honey, the latter touted by Diddy for its libido-enhancing properties. The logistical coordination, handled under the guise of professional duties, underscores the alleged misuse of corporate assets to facilitate illegal activities.

Connections to Jane Doe and Coerced Activities

The episode highlights the damning intersection between Jane Doe's testimonies and Perez's corroborative statements. Jane recounts violent altercations and coercive sexual encounters, which Perez substantiates through his own accounts and text message evidence.

"Jonathan Perez's testimony corroborates exactly what Jane just told us on the stand about that fight night word for word."
— Ashleigh Banfield [24:10]

The narrative paints a disturbing picture of exploitation and abuse of power, with Diddy allegedly leveraging his entourage to maintain control and suppress dissent or resistance.

Defense's Cross Examination

Defense attorney Brian Steele methodically dismantles Perez's credibility, attempting to rebrand the illicit activities as personal errands inherent to the celebrity lifestyle. Steele emphasizes the blurred lines between personal and professional realms in high-profile environments.

"These are typically how we'd communicate across the board. The prosecution had implied that Jane was being coerced. The defense wanted the jury to see something else. Cordiality, even affection."
— Ashleigh Banfield [28:30]

Steele highlights Perez's affectionate interactions with Jane and downplays the severity of the "King Nights," aiming to portray the events as consensual and benign. However, Ashleigh points out the prosecution's strategic refocusing, emphasizing that these personal tasks were, in reality, integral to the enterprise's illicit operations.

Juror Discrepancies and Potential Dismissal

A significant procedural twist emerges as Judge Subramanian addresses inconsistencies in Juror Number Six's residency claims. Initially asserting residence in the Bronx, the juror later admits living in New Jersey, prompting the judge to strike him from the jury panel.

"But later, he admitted that he spent most of his time with his girlfriend living in New Jersey. You know, that New Jersey is another state. Right."
— Ashleigh Banfield [30:10]

The defense contends that the juror's removal is prejudiced, citing the need for diversity. However, the judge limits the dismissal to the dishonesty in residency, leaving the defense's objections partially unaddressed.

Speculations on Remaining Witnesses and Case Progression

As Day 23 concludes, Ashleigh muses on the absence of Christina "KK" Coram, Diddy's chief of staff, from the forthcoming testimonies. She speculates on her potential silence, comparing her to notorious figures like Ghislaine Maxwell, and raises questions about her unwavering allegiance to Diddy.

"I'm pretty sure juror number six is getting bounced, but at least the judge kind of let it go softly for the weekend."
— Ashleigh Banfield [33:05]

With only five witnesses left, the case's trajectory remains intensely unpredictable, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the unfolding drama.

Conclusion

Ashleigh Banfield adeptly navigates the complex web of testimonies, legal maneuvers, and celebrity antics that define Day 23 of the United States vs. Sean Combs trial. Through incisive commentary and detailed recounting of courtroom events, she equips listeners with a nuanced understanding of the high-stakes battle between the prosecution and Diddy's defense team.

"Remember, the truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead serious."
— Ashleigh Banfield [33:50]

As the trial progresses, Ashleigh promises to continue peeling back the layers of mystery and injustice, ensuring her audience remains informed and engaged.

For more insights and updates on true crime and high-profile trials, subscribe to Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield and join Ashleigh every Thursday for new episodes.