TLDR: The Diddy trial continued with dramatic testimony from former assistant George Kaplan, makeup artist Mylah Morales, and rapper Kid Cudi, who detailed a love triangle with Cassie, a break-in, and a mysterious car fire. The witnesses described alleged abuse, threats, and unsettling behavior linked to Diddy, adding new layers to the high-profile case.
HipHopCanada was inside the main courtroom of the Diddy trial as proceedings resumed with testimony from George Kaplan, a former assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs. Diddy, seated alongside his legal team and sporting a sharp silver hairstyle and neatly trimmed goatee, sat quietly as Kaplan continued the testimony he began Wednesday afternoon.
Kaplan detailed his involvement in managing large sums of cash for Combs, testifying that he routinely picked up around $10,000 through Western Union transfers tied to Combs Enterprises. He stated that he was strong-armed into testifying under subpoena and confirmed he had been granted immunity, noting that he would have otherwise invoked his Fifth Amendment rights. He acknowledged he could still face charges.
Kaplan described observing Kim Porter, Gina Huynh, and Cassie Ventura in relation to Diddy’s personal life, noting that he witnessed violent behaviour from Diddy toward Cassie on more than one occasion. He recounted a moment aboard Diddy’s private plane when he heard what sounded like glass breaking, and said he then saw Diddy standing over Cassie while holding a whiskey glass.
According to Kaplan, Cassie looked around and said, “Is anyone seeing this?” He also testified that on another occasion, he saw Cassie crying with visible bruises on her face. When pressed by Diddy’s defence lawyers, Kaplan clarified that while those moments were alarming, he did not witness an actual assault take place.
Despite the damning accounts, Kaplan also offered a more nuanced portrayal of his time working under Diddy, crediting him with valuable career lessons. He characterized Diddy as having “infectious energy” and highlighted the “culture of excellence” that permeated Combs Enterprises.
Kaplan also spoke about Diddy’s strategic marketing approach, which included building the in-house agency Blue Flame, responsible for campaigns tied to brands like Ciroc, Sean John, Revolt, and DeLeón Tequila. At this point during Kaplan’s testimony, I observed Diddy subtly nodding along as Kaplan described certain positive personality traits and behaviours associated with him.
Kaplan added that, based on his observations, Kim Porter was treated as more than just a girlfriend—explaining that Diddy showed more patience with her and engaged with her differently than he did with others. He went on to testify that by spring 2015, Diddy had brought in professional security guards. Kaplan noted that during his time working with him, he never saw Diddy—or his previous security team, which included D-Roc, Uncle Pauly, and Rube—carry firearms.
Kaplan also noted that multiple people were responsible for handling bookings and transactions within Combs Enterprises, as there were various company credit cards in use. He acknowledged that his team regularly had access to Diddy’s black card for business-related expenses. Kaplan also confirmed that even after resigning from his role, he remained in contact with Diddy.
Kid Cudi Testifies: A Relationship Triangle and a Mysterious Car Fire
The Diddy trial finally turned to high-profile witness Scott Mescudi, better known to hip-hop fans as Kid Cudi, who entered the courtroom and revealed that he briefly dated Cassie in 2011. He claimed that Diddy was also romantically involved with Cassie at the time, and that she was allegedly scared after Diddy found out. Cudi testified that a break-in occurred at his residence shortly after Cassie disclosed the relationship to Diddy.
Following the break-in, he discovered that gifts he had bought for his family had been opened, and his dog was found locked in a bathroom. He reported the incident to the police.
Weeks later, Cudi’s Porsche 911 mysteriously caught fire while parked in his driveway. Photos of the burned vehicle were presented in court, and a bottle resembling a Molotov cocktail was reportedly found nearby. While DNA from the scene was reportedly traced to a woman, no one has ever been charged in connection to the fire. Cudi then recalled a tense encounter at Soho House, where he was met by Diddy’s associate J-Rock and escorted into a room where Diddy was waiting, “looking like a supervillain,” according to Cudi.
Diddy allegedly confronted him, saying, “You know that’s my girl.” Cudi stated in his testimony that Cassie also showed up at the meeting, which upset him because he couldn’t believe she went back to Diddy. After the meeting, Cudi said he and Diddy shook hands, and while they were in the middle of it, he asked, “What about my car?” Cudi testified that Diddy allegedly looked him in the eye and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
During cross-examination, Diddy’s lawyer pressed Cudi about his feelings toward Cassie, leading Cudi to admit that he believed Cassie had played both him and Diddy.
Behind the Glam: Cassie’s Makeup Artist Speaks Out
Mylah Morales, a celebrity makeup artist and the third witness of the day, shared recollections from her time working with Cassie between 2007 and 2018. She testified that during one incident, Diddy allegedly stormed into their hotel room, yelling, “Where the fuck is she?” Morales said that shortly after he left, she saw Cassie with visible injuries—including a black eye, a busted lip, and knots on her forehead.
Morales testified that Cassie stayed with her for a few days following the incident. She said she called a friend who is a medical doctor to examine Cassie, and after the examination, the doctor recommended that Cassie go to the emergency room. However, Cassie ultimately chose not to seek medical treatment. Although Morales witnessed the injuries firsthand, she admitted she never spoke publicly about the incident.
During cross-examination, Diddy’s defence pressed Morales on why she hadn’t come forward earlier and questioned her about multiple interviews with major media outlets, including CNN, Piers Morgan, and Don Lemon. They also pointed out her appearances in two documentaries about Diddy.
Hotel Manager Details Unusual Guest Profile Linked to Diddy
Frédéric Zemmour, general manager of the L’Ermitage Beverly Hills hotel, took the stand to describe what he characterized as a recurring pattern of room damage tied to Sean “Diddy” Combs. Zemmour testified that Combs was a regular guest at the hotel, often booking rooms under aliases such as “Frank White” and “Frank Black.”
According to Zemmour, Combs’ internal guest profile contained specific staff warnings—namely that he routinely spilled candle wax and used excessive amounts of oil during his stays. As a result, rooms were frequently removed from service for deep cleaning.
The hotel also routinely pre-authorized an additional $1,000 in charges to account for potential damages. Housekeeping reports noted wax build-up on carpets and furniture, as well as overpowering odours that required additional air freshening efforts throughout the hallways.
Federal Agent Closes Out the Day
The final witness was Special Agent Josh Croft of Homeland Security Investigations, a forensic data expert who explained how data was extracted from Cassie’s surrendered electronics, including a 2010–2011 MacBook Pro.
While Croft did not reveal substantive evidence retrieved from the devices, his testimony established that digital forensic procedures were followed during the investigation.
Looking Ahead
With each day of testimony, new layers continue to emerge in this complex and closely watched case. The judge adjourned proceedings for the long weekend, granting the jury a break over the four-day Memorial Day recess.
Stay with us for ongoing coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments and verified facts from inside the courtroom.
