Shocking courtroom testimony at Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial on sex-trafficking and racketeering charges included bizarre food preferences and unsettling descriptions of violence.
During a high-profile trial in Manhattan, former assistants to the music mogul described scenes of eccentric behavior and allegedly abusive relationships behind the scenes of Combs’ worldwide empire, the New York Post reported.
One of the most talked-about moments in the trial occurred on May 22, when George Kaplan, a former assistant to Combs, took the stand to offer insight into daily life working for the entertainer. Kaplan described managing purchases for the hip-hop star using a Centurion card, often referred to as a "Black AMEX," to cover expenses ranging from yacht leases to personal items.
Kaplan also testified about Combs’ obsession with applesauce, revealing he would eat it on the side or even directly on cheeseburgers. “Cheeseburgers being one of them,” Kaplan added under questioning from the defense.
This unusual detail was not new to the jury, as another former assistant, David James, had already referenced Combs’ fondness for applesauce earlier in the week. Although James stated he packed the fruit snack for Combs regularly, he admitted, “I was not aware” it was for use on cheeseburgers.
The courtroom reacted strongly to the revelations, with jurors visibly disturbed by the mention of applesauce on cheeseburgers. One juror even mimicked a gagging motion after someone repeated the detail.
Kaplan used his testimony to outline the massive scale of Combs’ global business operations, arguing that tracking the origins of every purchase or action was often unrealistic. “His world was the size of the Earth,” he said, citing how often Combs was conducting business across continents.
But Kaplan’s statements extended far beyond eccentric preferences and corporate scale. He also testified about alleged incidents of abuse involving Combs and two former partners—Cassie Ventura and a woman identified only as “Gina.”
Kaplan recounted a 2015 incident inside Combs’ Miami mansion where an argument with “Gina” escalated. According to him, the music mogul “was very angry” and threw decorative apples at the woman in a heated exchange.
While Kaplan couldn’t confirm whether the apples were real or artificial, he noted that someone had displayed them by the entryway. He further described seeing the woman try to protect herself and move away from Combs during the confrontation.
Another incident also took place in 2015, this time aboard a private jet with Combs and Cassie Ventura. Kaplan said he heard glass shatter and turned to witness Combs standing over Ventura, who had fallen onto her back during the altercation.
The assistant described Ventura’s desperate plea during the incident: “Isn’t anyone seeing this?!” Kaplan testified that not a single person, including Combs’ bodyguards, took any action to intervene.
Throughout the trial, distinctions were drawn between how different women in Combs’ life were treated. Kaplan pointed out that Combs’ behavior toward Ventura and “Gina” sharply contrasted with his treatment of Kim Porter, his long-term partner and the mother of three of his children.
“Mr. Combs always seemed to have an extra gauge of patience with Ms. Porter,” Kaplan remarked, stating that she seemed to bring him happiness in a way others didn't. He added that although Combs did not mistreat everyone, Porter received noticeably kinder attention compared to others.
The testimonies from Kaplan and James have granted jurors a rare glimpse into the personal and professional life of one of music’s most powerful figures. From extravagant spending to deeply personal revelations, the courtroom has become a stage for contrasting sides of Combs’ persona.
As the trial continues in federal court, prosecutors expect more witnesses to take the stand. The federal charges against Combs include allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, placing his entire inner circle under intense scrutiny.
The stories told under oath raise significant questions not only about Combs’ behavior behind closed doors but also about the culture within his high-powered operations. Prosecutors aim to use these accounts to paint a darker portrait of the artist and entrepreneur.
