Rapper Kanye West showed up at court today to support Sean “Diddy” Combs, putting a spotlight on the role of fame and celebrity in this trial. We get an update on the circus that ensued at the courthouse today. Then entertainment lawyer Lisa Bonner weighs in on the fifth week of testimony and whether Diddy’s larger-than-life persona will work in favor of the prosecution — or the defense.

Jun 14, 2025

Kanye West, now known as Ye, is one of Sean "Diddy" Combs's most vocal supporters in the music business. Elizabeth Wagmeister reports on Ye making his presence felt around the trial. Then, a former girlfriend of Diddy known as “Jane” finished her testimony by hugging prosecutors and defense attorneys. Laura Coates wondered how that would land in court, so she called jury expert Faye Honig for an insider’s view.

Jun 13, 2025

As the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs enters its second month, we get the latest from the courtroom, including details of a tense exchange during cross-examination of Diddy’s ex-girlfriend "Jane." Then: What’s it like to sit across from Diddy in a deposition? And if he takes the stand in his criminal trial, what would his lawyers want him to say? Laura talks to Perry Sanders, Jr., defense attorney and former lawyer for the estate of the Notorious B.I.G., who weighs in on how Diddy turns on the charm — and why those involved in parallel civil suits against the music mogul will follow any testimony from him closely.

Jun 11, 2025

If Cassie’s turn on the stand was shocking, the marathon testimony we heard from the witness known only as "Jane" in week four of the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs was jaw-dropping. Laura and CNN Entertainment Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister break down major moments and walk us through how the prosecution is mounting their racketeering and sex trafficking case, from accusations of drugs in checked luggage, a "love contract," and emotional and graphic text exchanges.

Jun 7, 2025

It’s been a busy fourth week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal trial: a woman dangling from a 17th floor balcony, the threat of Combs being removed from the courtroom for nodding a the jury, and a new alleged victim on the stand known as “Jane.” Our guest is Joe Tacopina, former attorney for President Trump and the rapper A$AP Rocky, who breaks down the legal risks of the testimony and the courtroom conduct.

Jun 5, 2025

This week, Laura interviewed Marion “Suge” Knight about the ongoing trial of his longtime music industry rival Sean “Diddy” Combs. Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year-sentence on a manslaughter charge, talked from a prison phone about the way the industry takes advantage of artists, what has and hasn’t surprised him about the allegations against Combs, and why he thinks the prosecution’s efforts might fail. We bring you their conversation in a weekend bonus episode.

Jun 1, 2025

The third week of the federal criminal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs brought more explosive testimony from several key witnesses, including a former assistant identified to the court only with a pseudonym, “Mia,” who claimed the rapper physically and sexually assaulted her repeatedly during her eight years working for him. On today’s show, we hear why her testimony might be some of the most important in the case. And Laura interviews Diddy’s former publicist Rob Shuter, who describes how Diddy crafted — and manipulated — his own public image.

May 31, 2025

Sharay Hayes, the exotic dancer known by his stage name "The Punisher," took the stand last week during the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial to testify about what he did, saw and heard during the so-called “freak-offs” he was paid to participate in. Today, he sits down with CNN’s Laura Coates to give us a candid telling of his encounters with Diddy and Cassie Ventura. Plus, we hear the latest on testimony from a close associate of both Diddy and Cassie — a stylist whose perspective on Diddy's control of Cassie's look is important to the prosecution's case.

May 29, 2025

As the second week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s racketeering trial came to an end, all eyes turned to another entertainer, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, whose explosive testimony about Diddy included allegations of a burned-out Porsche and a frightened dog. CNN entertainment correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister joins Laura Coates to break it all down, and we revisit a conversation with Diddy’s former makeup artist, Mylah Morales, which was referenced in today’s testimony.

May 23, 2025

As the second week of Sean "Diddy" Combs’ racketeering and sex trafficking trial unfolds, the abuse and coercion alleged by Combs’ ex-girlfriend has been in the spotlight. Laura Coates speaks with Dr. Lisa Fontes, a professor and expert on intimate partner violence and coercive control, to unpack what the jury heard and what it reveals about the prosecution’s strategy.

May 22, 2025