Rapper Kid Cudi is expected to take the witness stand as Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial continues in the Southern District of New York.
What to expect from Day 8 of the Diddy trial
Court documents and statements by the prosecution have indicated his potential appearance for several days, and Day 9 may now mark his testimony. The court is likely to explore Cudi’s past interactions with Combs, including events referenced in earlier witness accounts related to alleged threats.
The trial will also continue developing the prosecution’s claim that Combs maintained a system of abuse, intimidation, and control involving his employees and partners.
Testimony from Day 8 supported this theme with a combination of physical evidence, expert psychological insight, and accounts from Combs’ former staff.
What the court has heard thus far
Day 8 began with Special Agent Gerard Gannon of Homeland Security Investigations, who continued his testimony regarding the federal raid of Combs’ Star Island home.
Gannon described the discovery of multiple cellphones, sex-related items, and narcotics including MDMA, Xanax, and methamphetamine.
One of the guns found during the raid, he said, was wrapped in a towel.
Gannon also noted that several firearms had their serial numbers removed, and 31 bottles of Astroglide and 25 bottles of baby oil were cataloged as evidence.
On cross-examination, the defence questioned the handling of the search, suggesting overreach by law enforcement. They also highlighted the absence of photographs linking Combs directly to the seized firearms.
Next, Dr Dawn Hughes, a forensic psychologist, testified as an expert witness. She explained psychological concepts related to abuse, including trauma bonding, minimisation, and emotional control.
Dr Hughes described why victims often remain in abusive relationships and how tactics like “love bombing” and financial dependence can trap them. While she did not evaluate Cassie Ventura directly, her testimony aimed to provide jurors with general frameworks for understanding victim behavior.
On cross-examination, the defence emphasised that Hughes did not assess any individuals involved in the case and challenged the consistency of her broader opinions.
Following her, George Kaplan, a former executive assistant to Combs, testified about his experience managing Combs’ daily needs.
He stated he was responsible for preparing hotel rooms, acquiring supplies, and maintaining secrecy. Kaplan claimed he was directed to pick up drugs including MDMA and ketamine for Combs and to clean up rooms to protect Combs’ image.
He also recalled frequent job threats and high-pressure demands during his employment from 2014 to 2015.
Kaplan’s testimony reinforced earlier narratives about the inner workings of Combs’ operation and set the stage for additional corroboration through outside witnesses, such as Kid Cudi.
We did a full breakdown of the first week of the Diddy trial. Watch it below:
Diddy Trial: Live stream and updates
There is no live stream of the trial due to federal court rules. The case is being held in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, where cameras and live broadcasts are not permitted.
However, detailed daily updates are available through outlets covering the proceedings, including Inner City Press, whose trial notes have been essential for public reporting on the case.