Sean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-girlfriend “Jane” returned to the witness stand for further cross-examination on Wednesday.
Jane recalled being hurt by an Instagram post by Combs’s other girlfriend, Gina, in March 2022. Jane said Gina posted a necklace that matched a bracelet Combs previously bought for her. Jane said she asked Combs to make Gina delete the post.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss Juror 6 on Wednesday, arguing they discovered the juror had a “lack of candor with the court.” Combs’s team called it a “thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror.” The defense is now expected to submit a response. Judge Arun Subramanian said he will address the issue further on Thursday.
Jane, who dated Combs from 2021 to 2024 and is testifying under a pseudonym, has testified that she often took part in “hotel nights” or “freak offs” with the music mogul, which involved her having sex with other men while he watched.
Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy charges. He was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024.
The rapper has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Key Points
- Recap: Jane testifies about ‘hotel nights’ and Diddy’s other girlfriends
- Jane takes the stand as cross-examination continues
- Prosecutors move to dismiss a juror
- Rapper's ex-girlfriend hits back at defense attorney over Chanel bag crack
Good morning
15:10 , Joe SommerladHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs as it resumes in New York on Tuesday.
Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy charges.
He was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024.
Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
‘Jane’ to return to the stand as cross-examination continues
15:25 , Joe SommerladSean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-girlfriend “Jane” will return to the witness stand for further cross-examination on Wednesday after four days of testimony.
Jane, who dated Combs from 2021 to 2024 and is testifying under a pseudonym, has testified that she often took part in “hotel nights” or “freak offs” with the music mogul, which involved her having sex with other men while he watched.
We’ve got a slightly later start time today, with the attorneys arriving at 12.30pm local time for a 1pm start.
Rapper’s ex-girlfriend hits back at defense attorney over Chanel bag crack
15:40 , Joe SommerladSean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial became tense on Tuesday when the mogul’s ex-girlfriend pushed back at a defense attorney’s questioning over a text referencing a Chanel bag during cross-examination.
Testifying under the pseudonym Jane Doe, the witness had just finished reading aloud graphic text messages from November 2021, which included setting up “hotel nights” and what she described as “fantasy talk,” before reading one in which she expressed her “frustration” that another one of his other girlfriends posted on social media about Chanel bag.
This text was “where the frustration starts,” Doe told the court. She previously testified that she had nothing “postable” from their three years together because “most” of that time with Diddy was spent in hotel rooms.
Their relationship was “a chaotic whirlwind of a dark life that I wasn’t proud of,” she said, but his other girlfriends spent quality time with him, she explained to the court.
Teny Geragos, one of Diddy’s defense attorneys, suggested that Doe was upset about the bag, prompting a tense exchange.
“You didn’t get a Chanel bag?” Geragos asked.
“I only got trauma,” Doe quipped.
Here’s Kelly Rissman’s report.
Jane Doe sasses back at defense lawyer after suggesting she was upset over Chanel bag
Diddy still paying ex-girlfriend’s $10,000 rent as part of ‘love contract’
16:00 , Joe SommerladAs we await the start of today’s proceedings, let’s recap a key moment from Jane’s testimony.
She revealed on Friday that Diddy bought her “new teeth” and is still paying rent for her home as part of a “love contract” she made with the music mogul.
Here’s more from Kelly Rissman.
Diddy still paying ex-girlfriend’s $10,000 rent as part of ‘love contract’
Diddy’s ex-assistant reveals why she stayed silent on alleged assaults
16:20 , Joe SommerladAlso last week, “Mia,” Diddy’s former assistant, tearfully explained, with her head hung low, that sharing the alleged sexual abuse she says she endured from her former boss had been “the worst thing” she has ever had to discuss.
“I can’t look my nieces or my goddaughter in the eyes and ever advise them if they were in this situation,” she said.
Here’s Ariana Baio’s report.
Diddy’s ex-assistant explains why she stayed silent about alleged assault
Jamie Foxx says Black community has lost a ‘hero’ in Diddy
16:40 , Joe SommerladThe comedian and actor was appearing at a Netflix event at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood to discuss his recent special What Had Happened Was... ahead of Emmy voting season when he made the comment.
“That Diddy s*** crazy, huh?” Foxx said.
“I don’t know if he’s going to jail but he’s a nasty motherf***er! Am I right? Especially for our community. White people, it’s cool, but for Black people, like, that was our hero! All that goddamn baby oil, boy.”
Kevin EG Perry has more.
50 Cent claims he will intervene to stop Trump from pardoning Diddy
17:00 , Joe SommerladThe rapper has vowed to make Donald Trump “aware” of his thoughts about Combs after the president was asked about the possibility of his granting clemency and he answered: “Nobody’s asked, but I know people are thinking about it. First of all, I’d look at what’s happening, and I haven’t been watching it too closely… I haven’t seen him. I haven’t spoken to him in years.”
Incensed, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, voiced his opinion on the matter on Instagram on Friday, saying: “He said some really bad things about Trump. it’s not ok. Im gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy.”
Kelly Rissman has more.
50 Cent claims he will personally intervene with Trump to stop any pardon of Diddy
Celebrities ‘hiring lawyers’ to avoid testifying at Diddy trial
17:20 , Joe SommerladCombs’s sex trafficking trial reportedly has some celebrities so nervous about the prospect of being called to testify that they’ve hired lawyers to try to prevent it.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Celebrities are reportedly hiring lawyers to avoid testifying at Diddy’s trial
Bill Maher sparks backlash over Cassie and Diddy comments as trial continues
17:40 , Joe SommerladThe Real Time With Bill Maher sparked an outcry recently after joking about the trial, saying of the defendant: “Diddy is a bad dude, really bad. And we should lock him up and throw away the baby oil.”
But it was his comments on the post-MeToo landscape that really raised eyebrows.
Caitlin Hornik reports.
Bill Maher sparks backlash over Cassie and Diddy comments as trial continues
Prosecutors move to dismiss a juror
17:58 , Kelly Rissman, Katie HawkinsonProsecutors are trying to dismiss Juror #6 in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking case.
Prosecutors say they found the juror had a “lack of candor with the court.”
“We were very reluctant...it’s not something we want to do, but we’re compelled to do,” prosecutors said in court today.
Combs’s team called it a “thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror.”
The defense is now expected to submit a response. Judge Arun Subramanian will address the issue further on Thursday.
Jane takes the stand
18:12 , Katie HawkinsonSean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-girlfriend “Jane,” who is testifying under a pseudonym, has taken the stand for a fourth day.
Combs’s team is expected to finish their cross-examination tomorrow.
Jane told Diddy he took advantage of her after three-day 'hotel night'
18:41 , Katie HawkinsonJane told Sean “Diddy” Combs she felt “taken advantage of” after she had a three-day-long “hotel night” with him, according to texts read in court.
“You have me feeling so taken advantage of and regretting everything,” Jane wrote in the January 2022 message.
“Hotel nights” typically involved her having sex with other men while he watched, Jane previously testified. These “nights” could last hours, with the longest one lasting 3.5 days, she testified.
Jane recalls upsetting Instagram post from Combs's other girlfriend
18:50 , Katie HawkinsonJane recalled being hurt by an Instagram post by Sean “Diddy” Combs’s other girlfriend, Gina, in March 2022.
Jane said Gina posted a necklace that matched a bracelet Combs previously bought for her. Jane said she asked Combs to make Gina delete the post.
She also recalled feeling upset after Combs went to another woman’s birthday party while on vacation in 2022, shortly after they had a “hotel night.”
Jane said she asked Combs to come back early.
“If you don’t come here now, we’re not gonna do anything that you want to do,” she recalled telling Combs.
Jane initiated some 'hotel nights,' she testifies
19:08 , Katie HawkinsonJane testified that she initiated some “hotel nights” with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
One example included a 2022 “hotel night” she planned with two sex workers.
This comes after Jane testified she felt “obligated” to participate in “hotel nights” because Combs was paying her rent.
Jane's texts about 'hotel nights' read in court
19:30 , Katie HawkinsonThe jury is reviewing Jane’s texts about the “hotel nights” she had with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
After a “hotel night” in August 2022, Jane texted Combs, “that was so much fun.”
Jane also told Combs she loved him unconditionally and that she always wanted to make sure he was taken care of.
Jane again recounts 'hotel night' involving three men
20:04 , Katie HawkinsonJane is once again testifying about the “hotel night” involving three sex workers.
Jane previously said she threw up during the encounter.
Today, defense attorney Teny Geragos read texts Jane sent to Combs after the encounter.
“Loved and appreciated every detail you put into my bday,” Jane wrote.
Jane testified she was upset “after being made to have sex with three guys.” She added that it was “equally hurtful and emotional” for her to see Combs on a vacation with another woman shortly after that night.
Mid-day recap: Jane spars with Combs's defense team
20:18 , Kelly Rissman, Katie HawkinsonDefense attorney Teny Geragos has continued her cross-examination of Jane today.
Jane been looking down for much of the day, and has even rolled her eyes at Geragos. When Geragos asks about Jane planning “hotel nights” herself, Jane often responds, “Unfortunately, yes.”
Geragos noted that Sean “Diddy” Combs gave Jane a Van Cleef bracelet and necklace for her birthday, and a diamond bracelet another time. Combs paid about $15,000 for her birthday dinner, which was in a private room at a Los Angeles restaurant, she testified. The money also went toward outfits for her and 13 of her friends.
Geragos also asked Jane why she once suggested she and Combs go to Papi Steak or Carbone instead of Nobu, noting they were all luxury restaurants.
Jane said she “wanted to get out of the hotel,” noting that they were staying at the Nobu Hotel.
“I’m asking if he could please romance me outside of hotel rooms…I was praying he would read between the lines,” Jane testified.
Tearful Jane reads 2023 texts to Diddy
20:48 , Katie HawkinsonJane teared up as she read texts she sent in 2023 to Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Jane texted Combs that he made her child happy.
“The fact that you are the reason for my child’s joy is a feeling inside me that I cant explain,” Jane texted Combs.
“I love you so much as my friend my lover, my boyfriend even though you don’t like that word,” she continued.
Jane says there were 'many times' she wanted to break up with Combs
21:24 , Katie HawkinsonJane testified that she wanted to break up with Sean “Diddy” Combs “many times” throughout their three-year relationship.
Jane said this after defense attorney Teny Geragos asked if she wanted to end things with Combs after a “sobriety party.”
The party involved Jane having sex with other men while Combs watched, just like other “hotel nights,” she testified. She didn’t take any drugs during the “sobriety party,” which she otherwise usually did to make the encounters feel less real, she testified.
Jane says she 'couldn't say no' to Diddy
21:29 , Katie HawkinsonJane has again testified she felt like she couldn’t say no to Sean “Diddy” Combs when he proposed “hotel nights.”
“I resent him for knowing how much I loved him and how I couldn’t say no to him,” Jane testified.
Court adjourned
21:45 , Katie HawkinsonJudge Arun Subramanian has dismissed the jury for the day.
Court will resume tomorrow morning, when the defense is expected to finish cross-examining Jane.
Recap: Jane testifies about ‘hotel nights’ and Diddy’s other girlfriends
22:22 , Katie HawkinsonDefense attorney Teny Geragos spent the day cross-examining Sean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-girlfriend Jane about her “hotel nights” and drug use.
Before Jane took the stand, prosecutors moved to remove a juror, arguing they had a “lack of candor with the court.” Combs’s team called it a “thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror.”
The defense is now expected to submit a response. Judge Arun Subramanian will address the issue further on Thursday.
Jane testified in detail about “hotel nights,” which involved her having sex with other men at Combs’s direction. She revealed she sometimes planned these nights.
However, Jane also testified she felt she “couldn’t say no” to Combs.
The jury also saw texts from Jane telling Combs he is “the reason for my child’s joy.”
Jane also recalled being hurt by an Instagram post by Combs’s other girlfriend, Gina, in March 2022. Jane said Gina posted a necklace that matched a bracelet Combs previously bought for her. Jane said she asked Combs to make Gina delete the post.
Court will resume Thursday morning.
