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Kanye West, now known as Ye Ye, generated a flurry of attention this morning when he unexpectedly appeared at the Manhattan federal courthouse, where Sean "Diddy" Combs is currently being tried on charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and related offenses.
Clad in headtotoe white denim and dark shades, Ye accompanied Combs' son, Christian "King" Combs, presumably to show solidarity. Despite his bold arrival, he was not allowed into the main courtroom, as his name had not been submitted on the list of approved friends and family.
Upon reaching the federal courthouse, Ye paused to greet fans and exchanged a nod and a brief "Yes" when asked if he was there for Diddy.
Though he entered the building to Diddy, court marshals redirected him to an overflow room on the 23rd floor-equipped with a live video hookup-instead of granting access to the actual proceedings.
He spent about 45 to 50 minutes observing alongside King and a few close associates before quietly exiting.
Ye then left the premises under escort, reing King and their security entourage before slipping into the backseat of a black luxury vehicle. Notably, his wife, Bianca Censori, did not accompany him, despite her presence in New York City this week.
Ye's publicist did not immediately respond to comment requests from reporters.
A history of public
Ye's appearance was the culmination of months of vocal backing for his fellow hiphop icon. Since Combs' arrest in September 2024, Ye has repeatedly campaigned for his release. In February, he posted "FREE PUFF" on X.
Back in March, Ye briefly released a collaborative track titled "Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine," featuring Diddy along with King and North West, which caused a stir, particularly with Kim Kardashian, North's mother, due to its inclusion of snippets from recorded jailhouse conversations.
That song has since been scrubbed from his social s.
Testimony in the trial has been staggering. One witness, known only as "Jane," described being pressured into multiple "hotel nights" with escorts and recounted emotional manipulation and threats tied to rent payments.
Diddy pleaded not guilty, and his defense counters that those involved participated consensually.
The court proceedings, ongoing since jury selection began on May 5 and opening statements and witness testimonies unfolding from May 12, are entering their fifth week. Prosecutors have already called several witnesses, including Diddy's former assistant, Jonathan Perez.
They are expected to rest their case by the week of June 16. If Combs is found guilty on all counts, he could face a life sentence.
Ye's involvement in today's courtroom drama underscores the extent to which this highstakes trial has drawn not just legal scrutiny but also the associations of major music figures.
His brief, wellpublicized appearance reinforces his alignment with Diddy, yet also highlights the procedural limits of courtroom access-even for celebrities.
As the case progresses into the final phase of the prosecution's testimony, all eyes remain on how the presence or absence of key ers like Ye might sway public and media perception.