Musk does immediate 180 on Trump as soon as LA riots rage
The hostile public feud between SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump may be losing steam.
While Musk and Trump traded harsh barbs Thursday just after Musk’s departure serving as a special government employee spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the tech mogul appeared to extend an olive branch to the Trump administration amid immigration raid protests in Los Angeles over the weekend.
Tensions boiled over between Musk and Trump originally due to differences related to Trump’s massive tax and spending package referred to as the “big, beautiful, bill.”
But after claiming that Trump wouldn’t have won the 2024 election if it weren’t for the tech mogul’s support, Musk shared a Truth Social post from Trump Sunday regarding the riots that broke out Friday — signaling some endorsement of the administration’s handling of the situation.
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“Governor Gavin Newscum and ‘Mayor’ Bass should apologize to the people of Los Angeles for the absolutely horrible job that they’ve done, and this now includes the ongoing L.A. riots,” Trump said late Sunday in the post Musk shared. “These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists.”
Additionally, Musk also re-posted one of Vice President JD Vance’s posts on X about the riots.
“This moment calls for decisive leadership,” Vance said, sharing a screenshot of a post from Trump about how his administration would address the riots. “The president will not tolerate rioting and violence.”
Specifically, Trump said that members of his Cabinet, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi, would “take all such action necessary” to stop the riots and a “Migrant Invasion.”
“Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free,” Trump said in the Sunday post.
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Musk’s apparent endorsement of the Trump administration’s handling of the riots comes after Trump told Fox News Friday that “Elon’s totally lost it.” The president also said he was not interested in speaking over the phone with Musk, countering media reports suggesting that the two would talk following their public spat.
Tension between Musk and Trump started to become visible to the public after Musk started to criticize the “big, beautiful, bill” amid reports that it would increase the federal deficit. Specifically, Musk called it a “disgusting abomination.”
On Thursday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Musk opposed the bill because it eliminates an electric vehicle tax credit that benefits companies like Tesla. But Trump said that provision has always been part of the measure.
“I’m very disappointed, because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here, better than you people,” Trump said in the Oval Office in a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “He knew everything about it. He had no problem with it. All of a sudden he had a problem, and he only developed the problem when he found out that we’re going to have to cut the EV mandate, because that’s billions and billions of dollars, and it really is unfair.”
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Musk jumped onto X to respond to Trump’s statements, pushing to remove the “disgusting pork” included in the measure and claiming it was untrue he had been shown the measure “even once.”
The two continued to publicly take aim at each other, with Musk claiming that Trump wouldn’t have won the 2024 election without his backing. In turn, Trump accused Musk of going “CRAZY” over cuts to the electric vehicle credits, and said that Musk had been “wearing thin.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on whether the two had smoothed things over.
Musk also did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Trump has taken action to respond to the riots in Los Angeles, which broke out Friday in response to immigration arrests to deport illegal immigrants, and announced he would deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” the White House said in a statement. At least 300 troops arrived Sunday.
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Trump’s use of National Guard troops has prompted backlash from figures including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said the deployment violated California’s state sovereignty. Typically, state governors oversee National Guard troops, but Trump has invoked a law to place the troops under federal command so he could bypass Newsom.
“I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command,” Newsom wrote on X Sunday. “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed.”
Maxine Waters has door slammed in face by National Guard during riots
Rep. Maxine Waters had a federal building door slammed in her face during the L.A. migrant riots – and was caught on video taunting armed agents, asking if they planned to shoot her.
Video shows Waters hurrying past graffiti-covered walls of a government building and up the steps to a plywood-shielded doorway where a small crowd had gathered.
“Hello, hello, hello,” Waters, D-Calif., called out as she saw the California National Guard approaching the door, to enter.
“I just came to use my congressional authority to check on David Huerta,” she said, referring to the SEIU union leader who was arrested during the weekend’s protests.
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The last agent to enter turned to her and said, “Ma’am, our lobby is secure right now to all visitors.”
But that did not deter the 86-year-old 18-term Democrat.
“Excuse me, I need to get in,” she said, as the agent told her to “contact our public affairs office,” as he closed the door in her face.
“I just want to see David Huerta!” she called out.
Asked by nearby onlookers about the situation, Waters said she said Huerta was “targeted” but did not know why.
“I don’t know whether they are going to deport him? I want to report back to my caucus what is happening,” she said.
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In a statement on the incident, Waters said she went to the Metropolitan Detention Center to visit Huerta – whom the SEIU said was “caught” in one of a series of ICE raids in Los Angeles County the union described as “a violent sweep.”
Waters also alluded to another viral clip she produced, which showed her taunting armed agents standing in formation in another part of the city.
“I pled [sic] with the National Guard, which was heavily armed, not to use their weapons against peaceful demonstrators who were simply exercising their rights to freedom of speech and protest,” Waters said in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter.
“All people deserve to be treated with dignity and due process under the law: Peaceful, nonviolent demonstrations are critical to protecting our constitutional rights.”
“The President of the United States is a cruel, dishonorable human being,” she said, adding that he and others would “just as soon” like to see agents “shoot somebody down.”
“But I don’t want that to happen. I want the elected officials to do everything that we can to dissuade them,” Waters later told reporters.
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In the latter case, Waters was seen hollering at the agents, insisting they were letting themselves become unwitting pawns of President Donald Trump:
“This is Trump and his outrageous attempt to not only target our sanctuary city, but to frighten us and intimidate us. This is wrong, and I hope that none of you will use those guns to shoot anybody… and allow them to make your service a service when you’re killing people,” she called out to the troops.
Addressing assembled reporters at another opportunity, Waters claimed Trump wants to have an excuse to enact martial law and “goad us into a fight.”
“This is about how they’re going to treat people of color in America… They have all the guns – we know they have all the guns.”
In another clip, she is seen addressing more troops: “What are you going to do? You’re going to shoot some kid?”
“You’re gonna shoot an elected official? If you shoot me, you better shoot straight.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Trump endorses potential arrest of California governor after Newsom’s dare to Homan
President Donald Trump suggested he would be willing to arrest California Gov. Gavin Newsom if his administration obstructs ICE operations amid riots in Los Angeles on Monday.
Trump made the statement in a brief exchange with reporters after disembarking from Marine One outside the White House. Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked Trump whether he though Border Czar Tom Homan should take up Newsom on his dare to come arrest him.
“He’s daring Tom Homan to come and arrest him. Should he do it?” Doocy asked.
“I would do it I were Tom,” Trump responded. “I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity. But I do think it would be a great thing. He’s done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent. Everybody knows.”
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Trump went on to state his belief that many of the rioters and protesters in Los Angeles are professional agitators rather than real protesters.
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“The people that are causing the problem are professional agitators. They’re insurrectionists. They’re bad people. They should be in jail,” Trump said.
Newsom swiftly responded to Trump’s comments in a post on social media.
“The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor,” Newsom wrote. “This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.”
Homan told “Fox & Friends” earlier on Monday that he had told an NBC reporter that “no one’s above the law,” but there was no discussion about arresting Newsom at that time.
“What we discussed was for those protesters that crossed the line… you can protest, you get your First Amendment rights… But when you cross that line, you put hands on an ICE officer, or you destroy property, or I’d say that you impede law enforcement, or you’re knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal alien… that’s a crime, and the Trump administration is not going to tolerate it,” he said.
Then the reporter asked me, well, could Governor Newsom or Mayor Bass be arrested? I said, ‘Well, no one’s above the law. If they cross the line and commit a crime, absolutely they can,’ so there was no discussion about arresting Newsom.”
Homan lambasted the blue state’s response to riots against the Trump administration’s immigration raids that rocked Los Angeles over the weekend, with some protesters throwing projectiles at law enforcement and torching American flags and cars.
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Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to the city in an effort to quell some of the unrest, much to the dismay of Democratic officials.
After fueling anti-ICE anger, Democrats shift blame to Trump for LA unrest
Democratic lawmakers are laying blame for the violent scenes in Los Angeles at President Donald Trump’s feet, accusing the Republican White House of “baiting” rioters in California this weekend.
Activists have taken to the streets of Los Angeles to protest Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the city, with many demonstrations growing violent as protesters were seen throwing rocks at law enforcement and cars being set ablaze.
Trump allies have fired back, accusing those Democratic lawmakers of hypocrisy – citing weeks of anti-ICE displays and rhetoric coming from liberals.
“For weeks now, the Left has been spewing anti-ICE rhetoric, leading to riots in LA. Trump is calling for law and order. The Left is defending chaos because it fits their narrative,” Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo., told Fox News Digital. “Why won’t they denounce these riots? Because it’s not politically convenient for them.”
NY TIMES SAYS ‘REAL EMERGENCY’ IS TRUMP SENDING TROOPS TO LOS ANGELES
Crank’s own home state of Colorado saw ICE crack down this year on a hotbed of reported gang activity by Tren de Aragua.
But in Los Angeles, ICE raids on suspected illegal immigrants spurred residents to take to the streets. Images of masked protesters waving Mexican flags against the backdrop of burning cars and graffitied streets have captured national attention.
Trump ordered the National Guard to provide backup to ICE agents despite objections from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
“The Trump administration is baiting unrest instead of working to bring our nation together. We must not give them what they want and will meet this cruelty with non-violence to ensure the protections and safety of immigrant communities,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., wrote on X on Monday.
That Trump officials were fomenting the violence appeared to quickly become Democrats’ main talking point.
“Trump wanted this violent confrontation to pit people against one another and distract Americans from the ongoing meltdown in the White House, the increase in prices due to Trump’s tariffs and our Nation’s declining reputation among our long-standing allies around the world,” Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., wrote on X.
Newsom himself posted on the site shortly before midnight on the West Coast, “Let’s get this straight: 1) Local law enforcement didn’t need help. 2) Trump sent troops anyway – to manufacture chaos and violence. 3) Trump succeeded. 4) Now things are destabilized and we need to send in more law enforcement just to clean up Trump’s mess.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said of Democrats’ rhetoric: “Democrats just can’t quit illegal aliens – even [if] they are terrorists and traffickers.”
“Americans are seeing this with their own eyes and they know who needs to be held accountable.”
The violence comes after weeks of Democrats criticizing ICE operations across the country, accusing the Trump administration of indiscriminately rounding people up without properly vetting their legal status or criminal histories.
Three House Democrats and progressive Newark Mayor Ras Baraka clashed with ICE agents at Delaney Hall detention center in New Jersey last month, after leading a protest at the facility.
ICE BREAKS ARREST RECORD TWO DAYS IN A ROW UNDER TRUMP’S NEW IMMIGRATION DIRECTIVES
Others, like Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., are appearing at anti-ICE rallies across the country.
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Jayapal is among the Democratic figures headlining a “Rally for An End to ICE Raids Targeting Immigrant Workers” in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
She posted on Sunday, “I urge every person using their right to protest to continue to do so peacefully, even as the Trump Administration escalates violence.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who called federal immigration actions “hateful and divisive” at a protest in January, is also expected to attend the D.C. event, according to the Washington Post.
Trump’s ‘secret weapon’ vs China revealed ahead of critical trade talks
There are two likely outcomes of the looming trade talks between the U.S. and China, but only one “secret weapon” to hedge against long-term competition with the growing adversary, according to one foreign policy expert.
“It’s going to be a test of the two different theories put forward in our country about how weak China is,” Fox News contributor and Heritage Foundation senior fellow on China strategy Michael Pillsbury said on “Varney & Co.” Monday ahead of the high-stakes meeting. “Within a few hours, I think we’re gonna find out who’s right and who’s wrong.”
“The key for our side is unleashing our own economy,” he noted. “There’s just a whole series of things that President Trump has already started. That’s going to be our sort of secret sauce or secret weapon in this kind of long-term competition with China.”
President Donald Trump announced Friday on Truth Social that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer will head to London on Monday to continue trade talks with China after both nations installed tit-for-tat duty taxes on one another.
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Trump leveled tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese goods following the president’s reciprocal tariff plans in April, when China retaliated against the U.S. with tariffs of its own. China and the U.S. reached a preliminary trade agreement last month, which Trump said China violated in a Truth Social post at the end of May.
The planned meeting comes after Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping last Thursday to discuss trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing.
“You’ve got one set of commentators. I call them extremists. They portray China as weak, about to collapse, unemployment just in a terrible situation. And they use the word desperate; ‘China is desperate to make a deal.’ If that’s the case, these talks will only last two or three hours,” Pillsbury weighed in.
“The one I think is actually happening, China is actually quite strong,” he further cautioned. “They’ve discovered this rare earth card they can play that makes us desperate.”
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In a worst-case scenario, American chip and battery manufacturers and rare earth factories could be “shut down” entirely, Pillsbury also warned.
“These talks today are going to give us a clue [about] just how strong China is and just how we are. We’ll be looking for it. That’s the gamble that’s going to be taking place.”
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Music pioneer Sly Stone passes away surrounded by family after long health battle
Sly Stone, the frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, has died after a long battle with COPD, which is a lung condition. He was 82.
Stone’s family shared a statement with Fox News Digital.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone. After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family,” the statement began.
It continued, “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come. Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music.
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“His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024,” the family said.
After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family.”
“We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly’s life and his iconic music. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support,” the statement concluded.
LEGENDARY FUNK SINGER SLY STONE HOMELESS AND LIVING OUT OF VAN, REPORT SAYS
Sly & the Family Stone included two of Sly’s siblings – Freddie and Rose. The group released hits including “Everyday People,” “Dance to the Music,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).”
Sly, legally known as Sylvester Stewart, was born in Denton, Texas in 1943.
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By 1966, Sly had his own band, Sly and the Stoners, and his brother Freddie had his group, Freddie and the Stone Souls. They decided to merge their bands, creating, Sly & the Family Stone. The group began performing together in 1967.
George Clinton, a funk legend, told CBS in 2023 that seeing Sly and the Family Stone was like “seeing the Black version of The Beatles.”
“He had the sensibility of the street, the church, and then, like, the qualities of a Motown, you know, Smokey Robinson — he was all of that in one person,” Clinton said at the time.
Sly began using drugs heavily between 1970 and 1971. People reported that he missed a third of the band’s performances during that time period.
In the ’80s, Sly began producing solo music. “Some people actually believed that I could not finish a project. I was pissed off at a lot of things. So much got on my nerves,” he told people in 1980.
In 1983, Sly was arrested for cocaine possession and went to a rehabilitation center in 1986. He stayed out of the public eye, except for a few rare moments over the past several decades.
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Sly finally broke free of his struggle with drugs and came clean in 2019. He spoke to The Guardian at the time and shared that a doctor told him the drugs would kill him eventually.
“That time, I not only listened to the doctor but believed him. I realized that I needed to clean up. I concentrated on getting strong so that I could get clean. My kids visited me at the hospital. My grandkids visited me. I left with purpose,” Sly told the outlet.
In 2023, Sly released his memoir, “Thank You.”
Sly is survived by his children: Sylvyette, Novena and Sylvester Jr.
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Rare Bible contains secrets that ‘have all but vanished,’ officials say
Israeli officials recently put a unique 14th-century Bible on display just a year after it was bought for a seven-figure sum.
The National Library of Israel announced its display of the Shem Tov Bible in a recent press release. The library began exhibiting the centuries-old book on loan from its owner on May 8.
The Jewish book, which has been called a “monumental work of biblical, artistic, Masoretic and kabbalistic scholarship,” dates back to medieval Spain. It was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $6.9 million in 2024, a representative confirmed to Fox News Digital.
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The Bible was created by a Kabbalist rabbi named Shem Tov ben Abraham Ibn Gaon, who completed it in 1312 in Spain. After finishing the book, he took it on a two-year-long journey to modern-day Israel.
He studied Judaism for the rest of his life until his death in 1330. The Bible soon began changing hands, but it remained in the Middle East before being moved to North Africa in the 17th century.
“In the 17th century, it moved to North Africa where mystical powers were attributed to it, including being brought to women in childbirth to assure an easy labor,” the press release noted.
Pictures of the medieval Bible show intricate artwork that was inspired by the Islamic and Christian art of its day.
“These motifs were inspired by the Islamic and Christian visual languages of the period, adapted to the long-standing Jewish tradition of beautifying ritual objects.”
“Its design features include arcades, gothic arches, birds and beasts, gilded frames surrounding biblical verses, illuminated marginal markers, and more,” the statement explained.
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“These motifs were inspired by the Islamic and Christian visual languages of the period, adapted to the long-standing Jewish tradition of beautifying ritual objects.”
Sallai Meridor, chairman of the National Library of Israel, called the display of the manuscript “profoundly significant.”
“Having traveled from Spain to Jerusalem, Baghdad, Tripoli, London and Geneva, the Shem Tov Bible has come full circle and is now back home, returning to the very place where Rabbi Shem Tov ben Abraham Ibn Gaon lived and intended for it to be, in the land of Israel, and now in Jerusalem,” the official said.
Meridor also thanked the owners of the Bible, the Herenstein family, who in turn said the book “characterized the best of medieval Jewish bookmaking.”
The family’s statement read, “We are delighted to know that the Shem Tov Bible is incorporated into the Library’s permanent exhibition of its greatest treasures, and equally delighted that the manuscript will be digitized to the highest standard, making it available worldwide, for study, research or to simply enjoy its beauty.”
National Library of Israel curator Chaim Neria also noted that the Bible allows scholars to study Jewish traditions “that have all but vanished from the historical record.”
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“A significant aspect of the codex is its observance of the Sefer Tagei, a traditional guide outlining the scribal practices required for writing sacred texts,” the historian said.
Neria added, “The surrounding notations reference earlier, now-lost documents, specifically the Hilleli Codex of 600 CE.”
The Shem Tov Bible is one of many recently publicized Jewish historical finds in the last year.
Last fall, the 16th-century Di Gara text was returned to a Jewish seminary after mysteriously ending up on an online marketplace.
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Earlier this year, a 1,600-year-old mikveh was uncovered in Italy – making it the oldest of its kind in Europe.
Expert witness testifies O’Keefe’s injuries consistent with fall on ridged surface
Karen Read’s defense called forensic pathologist Dr. Elizabeth Laposata to the stand in her murder trial Monday, a forensic pathologist who testified that victim John O’Keefe’s brain injuries appeared to have stemmed from a fall backward onto a ridged surface.
Read is on trial for the second time in connection with the alleged murder of her former boyfriend, who was a Boston police officer. Prosecutors accuse her of striking him with her Lexus after a night out drinking, then leaving him to die on the ground during a blizzard in Canton, Massachusetts, about 20 miles south of the city where he worked.
In a hearing without jurors present, Judge Beverly Cannone ruled that Laposata’s credentials did not qualify her to testify about potential dog bites as a source of injuries to O’Keefe’s arm, and the judge limited what she could say about the impacts of motor vehicles on pedestrians in collisions.
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Before Cannone sent jurors home around 4 p.m., Laposata testified that O’Keefe’s skull fracture was consistent with a “coup-contrecoup” type injury, meaning that it appeared as though he struck the back of his head first and then suffered internal brain injuries as the result of internal momentum.
“When the brain slaps forcefully against the base of the skull, the delicate bones above the eye break, and that’s again the coup contra coup,” she said. “The brain slaps forward, and when those delicate bones are broken, there’s bleeding, and that bleeding then goes right down into the upper eyelids. So it kind of looks like you have black eyes, but…there’s not been any punch to the face.”
She said that the injury pattern also indicated that he fell on a ridged surface, not something flat.
That also caused the “raccoon eyes” swelling and bruising in the front of his face. However, she testified, the cut over O’Keefe’s right eye was caused by something else – an application of force involving a small object.
“Is it also consistent with a fist?” asked defense attorney Alan Jackson.
“Sure,” she replied. “A fist is an object.”
Dr. Aizik Wolf, a brain surgeon who testified earlier on behalf of the prosecution, also said that O’Keefe’s skull fracture was consistent with a backward fall onto the frozen ground. But he conceded that cuts to the front of O’Keefe’s face, on his eyelid and nose, were caused by something else.
Laposata will return to the stand Tuesday for additional testimony.
Read’s defense called two other witnesses Monday, including a private investigator hired just last week named John Tedeman. He said he took measurements outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts – the Boston suburb where her O’Keefe was found dead on Jan. 29, 2022.
Read is accused of clipping him with a 2021 Lexus LX 570 SUV and leaving him to die during a blizzard. She denies striking him at all, and her defense is attempting to illustrate how O’Keefe could have walked into the home before his death contrary to prosecution claims.
Tedeman said Read’s team hired him on June 3, after their previous investigator suffered a health issue and could not testify.
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Prosecution witnesses have testified that O’Keefe never made it inside and that she allegedly backed into him before she went to his house and left him a series of angry voicemails as he died on the ground from blunt trauma to the head and hypothermia.
While the medical examiner could not rule O’Keefe’s death a homicide, Wolf testified that his skull fractures were consistent with falling backward and striking his head on the ground. Another witness for the commonwealth, Dr. Judson Welcher, testified that scratches on O’Keefe’s arm were consistent with an impact from Read’s taillight, which was broken when police seized it.
But a defense dog bite expert, Dr. Marie Russell, testified that the injuries were consistent with dog bites and scratches, not a vehicular strike, and a crash reconstructionist testified that the damage to her taillight could have come from someone throwing a bar glass like the one found shattered near O’Keefe’s remains.
The defense believes O’Keefe suffered his mortal injuries somewhere else and was “placed” on the lawn where Read and two other women found him about 5 and a half hours after she left the scene.
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Earlier in the day, Read defense attorney Robert Alessi moved for a mistrial again over special prosecutor Hank Brennan’s handling of O’Keefe’s hoodie during cross-examination of a defense expert witness.
“Your honor, the defense moves for a mistrial with prejudice based upon intentional misconduct that just occurred before the court and before the jury,” Alessi said.
He said the motion came in response to representations Brennan made while questioning Dr. Daniel Wolfe, a crash reconstructionist from a firm called ARCCA.
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Brennan, while cross-examining Wolfe about damage to O’Keefe’s hoodie, showed him the actual piece of clothing, which had a series of holes in the back.
Alessi contended that the holes were created by a criminologist during lab testing and that they did not exist when police took the sweatshirt.
Read is accused of killing her boyfriend O’Keefe, a Boston police officer, by clipping him with her 2021 Lexus LX 570 SUV on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die on the ground in a record-setting blizzard.
‘CANNON’ TEST BOOSTS KAREN READ’S DEFENSE, SHOWING TAILLIGHT DAMAGE CONSISTENT WITH THROWN BAR GLASS
Brennan told the court that he was not disputing that a criminologist made the holes and asked the judge to give a jury instruction rather than declare a mistrial.
“It appears that I made a mistake,” Brennan said.
Cannone denied the motion but said she is going to put photos illustrating the mix-up into evidence and that she is would instruct jurors that they are not permitted to draw any inference that the holes happened on Jan. 29, 2022.
At the start of the day, Cannone heard motions regarding rebuttal testimony and to preclude or limit expert witnesses.
She said she would hold an additional evidentiary hearing to determine what Laposata, a Rhode Island forensic pathologist and professor at Brown University, can testify in front of jurors.
David Yannetti, one of Read’s defense lawyers, told the court that her legal team believes O’Keefe was “placed” on the ground near a flagpole outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts.
The home is about 20 miles south of Boston. Read, O’Keefe and others went there for an after-party on Jan. 28, 2022.
Wolfe, the reconstructionist from a firm called ARCCA, testified last week that damage to Read’s SUV is inconsistent with the type of impact that prosecutors allege left O’Keefe dead early the following morning.
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But on cross-examination, he conceded that flying fragments of a taillight could have been the source of injuries to O’Keefe’s face and nose before he suffered a fractured skull from what prosecution experts testified was a backward fall.
Read has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, drunken driving manslaughter and leaving the scene.
Her defense maintains that her vehicle never struck O’Keefe and that his injuries were caused in some other manner after she left.
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Read could face life in prison if convicted of the top charge. Jurors deadlocked at her first trial last year on the same charges.
Diddy allegedly put ex in a chokehold during physical altercation
Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend, Jane, during a June 2024 incident.
Testifying using the pseudonym Jane, Diddy’s ex remembered pushing his head into the marble and started throwing candles everywhere because she was angry. She said a lot of wax went on Diddy, but she couldn’t remember him being hit with glass.
Jane said she tried to leave because she knew things were going to escalate, and went to lock herself in the master bathroom. She remembered Diddy calling her “f—ing crazy” as she locked the bedroom door. Diddy allegedly then kicked it open.
She testified to telling Diddy to leave, but Diddy kicked the door off the hinges. She then allegedly went into her closet and locked the door.
Jane said she was about to leave through a front door, but Diddy allegedly kicked her in the back of her thigh, she fell, and he allegedly picked her up in a chokehold. Jane said she couldn’t breathe, and then squirmed out of it, but he was tightening his grip.
While in the closet, she said she changed clothes because she knew she “needed to run away,” and put on a daytime summer dress and heels. She allegedly ran to a wall where he couldn’t find her, about six blocks away, and hid for two hours.
Jane claimed she went back to the residence thinking Diddy wasn’t there, and when she turned the corner, he was walking toward her. She said she was “scared” but quiet. She didn’t want to wake the neighbors and cause a scene.
Jane testified that she went into a guest bedroom and locked the door before Diddy kicked it in. She remembered throwing more glasses and candles at him because she wanted the rapper away from her.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Jane, told the court Monday about an allegedly violent encounter with the rapper.
After fleeing from the Bad Boy Records founder during a dispute, Jane returned to the home and claimed she was on the patio when she allegedly punched Diddy around his temple on his forehead. He allegedly retaliated by punching Jane in the head twice in the forehead and eye area.
She told the court she retreated to a deep part of the backyard, fell and curled up in a ball to cover her head and face while Diddy allegedly continued to punch and kick her. He allegedly said Jane was trying to take him away from his kids and family.
The “All About the Benjamins” singer then allegedly grabbed Jane by the hair and her arm, and dragged her back into the house, saying she was “f—ing crazy.” She claimed to keep asking him to leave.
Jane then said she took Diddy’s phone and called the woman she believed he was with. Over speakerphone, Jane asked her if she was on the trip to Utah. Diddy allegedly held Jane down on the ground as the woman hurled insults over the phone.
Jane claimed to tell the woman that Diddy was “beating her a– right now,” and Diddy allegedly hung up the phone. He then FaceTimed a man named Jonathan and asked him to tell Jane that he wasn’t with a girl on his family trip.
She testified to going to the shower to cool off, which is where she saw two golf ball-sized welts on her forehead, and a black eye forming. She said meekly, “I’m smaller than Sean.”
Jane claimed she was naked in the shower and Diddy was there with her, wearing pants, slapping her three times in the face. She said she lost her balance and fell.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
One month after Sean “Diddy” Combs released an apology video regarding the 2016 hotel assault involving Cassie Ventura, his ex-girlfriend testified that the pair got into an argument.
Testifying anonymously as Jane, she claimed they had been drinking champagne and tequila when she confronted him about who he was with on his family trip to Utah. She assumed he was with another woman.
Jane said she had a lot of anger and resentment. She claimed she called Diddy a pedophile because he was 27 years her senior and the relationship “rubbed me the wrong way.”
She testified to saying “if a girl can’t buy her own drinks, what makes you attractive to her,” and believed the woman was under 21 when they first began dating.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team requested a sidebar during his ex-girlfriend’s testimony.
The defense wanted to know the relevance of the line of questioning, as there could be privilege issues. The government said they could strike the last question and answer about Diddy’s apology video final draft to make sure they don’t get into potential privilege issues.
Diddy’s team requested all questions about the video be struck due to being inappropriate. The prosecution noted there were no objections, and added that they were about to get into an incident were Diddy assaulted Jane and then made her have sex with an escort. They claimed the video questions related to state of mind.
The government then agreed to respect the privilege issues and strike the questions, but admitted they will ask a few more before going on a break.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
On a trip to Miami in May 2024, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Jane, testified she was at his home when she saw the video of Diddy assaulting Cassie at the InterContinental Hotel.
One of Diddy’s son’s allegedly said “something happened.”
Jane claimed Diddy spent the day with his family and friends, and they invited her to a “huddle” where she remembered them trying to come up with a form of a sincere apology post regarding the video.
She told the court that she never heard the “Victory” rapper deny he was the one in the video assaulting Cassie.
Jane testified that Diddy showed her a final draft of what he would say, and she understood he would post it on social media. She said she thought the message was heartfelt.
“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life. Sometimes you got to do that. I was f—ed up. I mean I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable,” Diddy said in a self-recorded message posted on Instagram May 19. “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”
Jane claimed they eventually talked about the video in June or July 2024. Diddy allegedly told her that was the only time he and Cassie had physical violence. Diddy allegedly told Jane that Cassie “was a hitter.”
Fox News Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Jane testified Monday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial that a male escort once attempted to extort them with a video from one of their “hotel nights.”
Diddy’s ex-girlfriend claimed earlier in her testimony that she had sex with Kabrale at the Trump International Hotel in New York in September 2023.
Kabrale allegedly had a 35-minute video recording of them having sex on a hotel night, and threatened to release it. Diddy allegedly recorded the night on Kabrale’s phone.
Jane told the court her heart was beating out of her chest. Kabrale allegedly demanded $10,000 for the video.
She called Diddy and told him that Kabrale was trying to extort them. They did not send money, Jane testified.
She allegedly told Kabrale that she had acquired legal representation, what he was doing was sextortion and they would have no further contact.
Jane claimed on the stand that a media company reached out saying they had bought the tape. Her voice was shaky on the stand when she said, “I fainted and called my lawyer.” Jane also said she called Diddy, and the company did not end up releasing the video.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
When Sean “Diddy” Combs and his ex-girlfriend Jane were breaking up, he allegedly asked her to sign something so he could have “closure comfortably.”
Jane told the court she assumed this was some kind of legal document to show she was not a threat, and texted him, “no problem.”
Diddy allegedly wanted a “clean break,” but Jane testified that he seemed frustrated.
Maurene Comey with the U.S. Attorney’s Office asked Jane how she ended up in debt when she was dating a millionaire. Jane claimed she wasn’t working, and took on credit card loans to “make the house cozy for us.”
While reviewing more text messages, Jane allegedly said she needed three months to situate herself financially. Diddy wrote that he would never abandon her.
Jane allegedly texted, “You’re not having your way, so you immediately threaten me with rent.” She said that Diddy wasn’t getting his way with a party, so he threatened her home.
“I’m tired of rent threats … I hate living in fear,” she allegedly wrote to the
Bad Boy Records founder.
Jane testified that Diddy still continued to pay for her rent after these messages.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend sought income from an adult subscription site, she claimed.
Testifying under the pseudonym Jane, Diddy’s ex claimed she joined OnlyFans in January 2024 while they were on a break from their relationship.
She told the court that she posed in lingerie and “implied nudity” on her page.
Jane joined the site to “be independent again” and “reclaim her confidence,” she said.
Diddy was allegedly not happy about Jane’s online pursuit because she didn’t ask permission to join, but she claims he accepted her choice.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly told his ex-girlfriend, Jane, not to hurt herself in text message evidence submitted to the court.
“Nobody loves me,” Jane sent in a text. She claimed on the stand that Diddy told her to charge him and threatened to show her child’s father the tapes from their hotel nights.
“You went on a bipolar tangent … I was doing what you asked me to … then you went apes— on me … telling me you would expose my tapes and send them to my child’s father,” Jane allegedly texted Diddy.
Jane claimed after Diddy threatened to release the tapes, she reached out to his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, because she was one of the few people he listened to.
In text evidence, Jane allegedly wrote, “He just threatened me about my sex tapes that he has of me on 2 phones … he has been bothering me for 2 months … we broke up 2 weeks before the lawsuit … I’m traumatized from my time with him … today he went from asking me who I’m seeing … when I reiterate all the trauma, he blackmails me and says charge him … ”
Jane said she sent more text messages to Khorram after the threats. “Please talk some sense into him … “
Khorram allegedly said she would read it and then call Jane.
Jane wrote back, “Maybe you can simmer him down because he listens to you … ” She remembered Khorram telling her nothing will happen with the tapes and Jane and Combs should give each other space.
Jane asked Khorram to hide the phones with the sex tapes, to which Khorram allegedly agreed.
Fox News Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Texts shown in federal court Monday between Sean “Diddy” Combs and his ex-girlfriend, Jane, revealed that she felt manipulated and wanted monetary income.
The rapper allegedly texted Jane back, “F— you.” Jane allegedly told Diddy, “You’re the only opportunist … you had three years of fun with my body … you were a full time job and consumed my life.”
The “Last Night” rapper allegedly texted back that he was blocking Jane’s number and also calling the police.
“You conned me into sucking d— for you,” Jane allegedly texted. After several texts, she wrote, “I’m going to kill myself.”
While on the stand, Jane broke down in tears and continued reading messages. She allegedly wrote, “I just want to die.” She said she was evil and dark.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial for sex crimes were shown text message evidence between the producer and his ex-girlfriend.
Testifying using the name Jane, Diddy’s ex claimed he was trying to “warp my reality again.”
She told the court that every time she attempted to speak the truth, Diddy would then give her a different version of it.
Jane previously testified that the “Victory” rapper said she looked like she was consenting in videos recorded from “hotel nights.”
In one message, Jane wrote, “You knew I would do anything for you … but I’d say subtle things to let you know I was tired … I know I was consenting…you could never tell I was uncomfortable … I don’t want to keep beating you up about this … I love you so much … it’s not an easy just move on … I love you.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, who testified using the nickname Jane, claimed she felt shame from her experiences with the rapper.
Maurene Comey with the U.S. Attorney’s Office asked Jane if she was considering a lawsuit or going to law enforcement.
Jane told the court “no,” and added that she was feeling manipulated and violated, and needed to vent to the only person she could, her partner Diddy.
She didn’t tell anyone about her experiences because “it was just a shameful, dark secret of mine,” Jane testified Monday.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
During her third day of testimony, Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ ex-girlfriend claimed she felt like a “side chick” in her relationship with the rapper.
Testifying under the pseudonym Jane, the court was shown text message evidence of a note Diddy allegedly sent her.
“Are you dating, be honest,” Diddy wrote, to which Jane responded, “I became a side chick and sex worker in my own relationship … love always takes advantage of me.”
Diddy then allegedly texted again, “Are you seeing someone … do you want to come see me at the top of the year?”
Jane claimed Diddy was trying to see her after his family had left.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend “Jane” claimed on the stand Monday that they were on a break in their relationship from November 2023 through February 2024, but still communicated.
In text evidence submitted by the government, Jane allegedly texted the “Last Night” rapper, “Please stop drugging women …”
She allegedly sent another text to Diddy saying, “Leave women alone who don’t want to do those nights with you … “
The Bad Boy Records founder allegedly responded with, “You’re trying to set me up, f—ing crazy.”
Jane thought Diddy was being paranoid, and she had no intention of suing her ex-boyfriend, she testified. She also said she never demanded money.
“No stop calling me … I’m healing and you cannot be a part of that journey,” she allegedly texted Diddy. “I set up the men for myself because I didn’t want to be set up with anymore strangers.”
She claimed it was a protective instinct for herself.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, testifying under the moniker Jane, admitted she felt “manipulated” by the rapper in text message evidence shown to the jury.
On the 19th day of testimony, Jane recalled feeling like she was reading about her own trauma following the November 2023 release of Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit against Diddy.
“I’ve been crying for 3 days … I feel like I’m reading my own trauma … even 2 of my own birthdays you forced men on me,” she wrote.
“I just wanted it all to end … the sick part is you knew it was coming … you gaslit me … I feel manipulated … all so clear it was sexual exploitation … ”
Cassie filed a civil lawsuit against Diddy in November 2023. She revealed in court that she settled for $20 million allegedly, 24 hours after filing the suit. She does not have any pending lawsuits against Diddy.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Jane, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, testified Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit against the rapper “felt like a nightmare.”
While on the stand, Jane recalled Diddy going to London in November 2023 at the same time Cassie’s sexual abuse lawsuit was filed. Jane began to cry as she claimed there were three specific pages in the complaint “that resembled my own experience.”
“I was in shock,” Jane told the jury.
Jane said she had met Cassie in person in passing in 2015, but noted she has never communicated with her.
After the lawsuit was filed, Jane said she “couldn’t sleep.”
“I was reading these pages and they felt like a nightmare,” she told the jury. Jane began to cry again, saying she had a lot of sympathy for Cassie. “I can’t believe I’m reading my own story,” she recalled thinking at the time.
Jane claimed she communicated with Diddy, venting and shocked. She messaged him, “What is this?”
Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly told his ex-girlfriend she looked like she was consenting in videos recorded from “hotel nights.”
The jury was shown texts between Diddy and Jane. In one message, Jane wrote, “You knew I would do anything for you…but I’d say subtle things to let you know I was tired…I know I was consenting…you could never tell I was uncomfortable…I don’t want to keep beating you up about this…I love you so much…it’s not an easy just move on…I love you.”
Jane testified she remembered Diddy telling her if anyone were to watch the tapes, she looked like she was having the best time and was consenting. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey asked Jane if that was true. Jane said, “I’m still trying to figure that out.”
Comey asked if Jane watched some of the videos from the “hotel nights.”
“I saw me being high, following the pattern…it was like the same show over and over again,” Jane testified. She claimed she was following the pattern of what Combs wanted to see.
The jury was shown a note from Jane’s phone dated Oct. 26, 2023. Jane wrote, “For once today, I thought you were genuine…I’m so behind hurt…I’ve had so many talks, texts asking if it could just be us…you have on your phones videos of me performing…” Jane said she wrote this in her notes app to get her true feelings out.
Diddy recorded himself and Jane during “hotel nights,” she previously testified. According to Jane, she told the rapper multiple times she wanted to stop having sex with other men and just be with him.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Jane, testifying under a pseudonym, testified Sean “Diddy” Combs
had an “evil” tone when she would confront the rapper.
The jury was shown text messages between Jane and Diddy about their contract. Diddy had agreed to pay Jane $10,000 a month for expenses. According to Jane, the rapper would threaten to stop paying for her home if she didn’t participate in “hotel nights.” In a text to Diddy, Jane said she didn’t deserve him threatening her home. She claimed Combs switched to an “evil” tone.
Jane testified that she was having PTSD about the “hotel nights.”
She was referencing nights spent with male escorts Anton and Kabrale. Diddy was accusing her of setting up the nights because she wanted to be with the men. Jane wrote, “You want to gaslight me” referring to Diddy making her feel like these are independent things she wanted. She wrote that “You are a threat to my health and sanity.”
She also wrote, “I regret everything and all this toxic s—…” Diddy wrote back, “This is one of the craziest flips from a woman…you’re burning a bridge you ain’t going to be able to prepare tomorrow…” The rapper was allegedly insisting they talk. Jane wrote, “Nothing…is ever genuine…” Diddy replied, “I thought you loved me…after one argument, you resent me…it’s not a threat; it’s trying to have a conversation…yesterday you loved me…”
After this, she testified she spoke with Diddy on the phone. Jane remembered them trying to have a calmer conversation.
Jane confirmed she told Combs multiple times she wanted to stop the “hotel nights.”
Jane testified earlier Monday that she started developing feelings regarding Diddy and the house, like a guilt-trip, and she felt she had to perform during “hotel nights” ever since she got the home in April 2023.“I felt like he had made such a big purchase and this was something I had to do in return…” she previously said. Jane explained ever since she got into the home, the home was leverage for the “hotel nights.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend recalled becoming “livid” when the rapper allegedly used the home he paid for as leverage for her to participate in “hotel nights.”
The jury was shown texts between Diddy and Jane on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 of 2023. In the messages, she told Combs she was really upset with him. Jane also referenced the “love contract,” the agreement the two had for Diddy to pay her $10,000 monthly for expenses. Diddy responded that she was threatening him.
Before sending the texts, Jane claimed the two had spoken on the phone and Jane voiced her frustration about the most recent “hotel night.” Diddy allegedly said he wasn’t paying for something when he wasn’t seeing her. Jane testified she was “livid” that he turned it to the house. Jane said she told him, “I’m not Gina or Cassie.” She explained to the jury she meant she was feeling violated and was standing up for herself.
She then texted him, “Go take your f—— meds…f— you and your fake apology.” Jane wrote, “Don’t call me, don’t text me, I’m dead to you…” She then said ever since she got into the home, the home was leverage for the “hotel nights.” Diddy wrote, “Let’s leave each other alone. You’re f—— crazy.”
Combs then wrote, “But we both don’t have to do anything we don’t want to do…” Jane said she took this as a threat that Combs would no longer pay the rent. Jane responded, “F— you, you got me sick and you’ve threatened the house for the millionth time…”
Sean “Diddy” Combs forced his ex-girlfriend to continue participating in a “hotel night” despite her getting sick, she testified Monday.
Jane claimed she had a “hotel night” with Diddy beginning on Oct. 17, 2023 that lasted until Oct. 19, 2023. According to Jane, she met him at his residence in Los Angeles first.
The jury was shown photos Jane took of a concert. She testified Diddy had invited her to his concert and she took the photos from the crowd.
Before meeting up with Diddy, she went to the store with his assistant Jonathan for “hotel night” outfits. Jane testified that Combs was getting impatient and called her a b—- over the phone.
Jane went to the room and saw Diddy’s assistant Brendan was upset. Jane claimed Brendan was shaking his head saying, “You don’t deserve to be called a b—-.”
At the hotel on Oct. 18, 2023, Jane testified she did not want to take drugs. She was allegedly with multiple men that night. First was a male escort named Rico or Michael. The second was a male escort named Paul and the third was Anton. Between Paul and Anton, Jane claimed she threw up.
She recalled Diddy coming into the bathroom. She said she told the rapper she threw up and he said that was good because she would feel better. Then Jane had sex with Anton. At the end of the night, Jane claimed she felt “absolutely terrible.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Jane, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend testifying under a pseudonym, recalled turning off her frustrations over “hotel nights” after the rapper revealed he needed surgery.
Jane told the jury she had been avoiding talking to Diddy on the phone in October of 2023 because she worried she would fall back into whatever he wanted.
The jury was shown more messages between Diddy and Jane. The rapper wrote, “Are you going to let me in our house???” He sent the message multiple times. Jane testified Diddy was referring to the house where she lives. Jane said she did not respond to the messages because she “just wanted to shut him out.”
Diddy then sent Jane a screenshot of his convo with a doctor. Jane remembered turning her frustrations off and felt bad because the message said Combs’ knees were not good and he needed surgery. Jane wrote back, “Just breathe…take it easy…” According to Jane, at that moment, how Diddy was feeling was more important than ignoring him.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs labeled his ex-girlfriend crazy when she voiced her frustration with the “hotel nights” she felt obligated to perform, according to her testimony.
While testifying under the pseudonym Jane on Monday, the jury was shown text messages from Oct. 17, 2023. Jane wrote, “I’m not trying to f— strangers to fulfill your fetishes.” Diddy called her crazy. She testified Combs often called her crazy when she voiced her frustration about the “hotel nights.” Jane told Diddy she needed a break. After a back and forth, the disgraced music mogul said he would leave Jane alone.
The jury was then shown more text messages between Jane and Diddy
from Oct . 7, 2023. Jane wrote, “Please just leave me alone like you leave me alone every night when you’re with someone else…” Jane told the rapper he was “coming down” and to take vitamins. Jane told the jury she could tell Diddy had been partying and needed to rest.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’
ex-girlfriend claimed the rapper showered her with love and affection when he wanted her to participate in a “hotel night.”
The jury was shown a text message Jane sent to Combs telling him to spend the day with his family.
He wrote back that he wanted to spend the day with Jane, and they didn’t need to have sex.
Jane replied, “You’re going to spend the day, what lovebombing me?…” She explained Diddy said all the things she wanted to hear and showered her with affection, which was overwhelming.
According to Jane, he showered her with love and affection when he wanted a “hotel night.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Jane, testifying under a pseudonym, broke down on the stand Monday while reading texts telling her ex Sean “Diddy” Combs that she didn’t want to have sex with other men.
The jury was shown a series of text messages from Oct. 16, 2023. In one text, Jane wrote that she was not an animal.
Messages between Diddy and Jane from Oct. 23, 2023 were then shown. Jane wrote she didn’t feel like “performing loveless, cold sex.”
On the stand, Jane explained she was really frustrated there was more pressure on her than anyone else and she had to earn basic things in her relationship – like love and respect – that everyone else was getting.
She wrote to Diddy, “I need a break. I don’t want to do anything. I’ve hit a wall.” Combs replied, “I’ll only make love to you.” Jane said it’s been 3 years of giving her body to other men. Combs said, “so we’re breaking up.”
Jane explained she did not say break up, but wanted to stop having sex with other men. She began to cry on the stand as she read her responses that sex is sacred. Jane wrote she needed a break and wanted to spend a day with just Diddy. She said it didn’t matter how good the night was, that the rapper always wanted her to do more.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs flew a male escort to New York City and to Miami, his ex-girlfriend testified Monday.
On Sept. 18, 2023, Jane texted a male escort named Kabrale asking if he wanted to come to NYC. According to Jane, a previous “surprise” Diddy had planned for her in NY with Kabrale didn’t go well and she wanted to make up for it. Kabrale took a flight to NY, came to the Trump International Hotel and had sex with Jane.
More texts from Jane to Kabrale from Sept. 19, 2023 were then read in court.
On the stand, Jane explained after having sex with Kabrale at the Trump Hotel, she and Diddy went for a walk. He allegedly felt faint, so they went to the The Whitby Hotel. Jane explained she had to go back to the Trump Hotel to get her belongings. She said she had to check “on the status of the cash” for Kabrale with Combs. Jane testified that she left an envelope of cash for Kabrale at the front desk.
Jane remembered resting for the rest of the trip and noted Diddy gave her COVID.
She testified she next saw Combs in Miami.
The jury was shown photos of the “Gotta Move On” rapper
and Jane in Miami in September of 2023, shortly after the NYC trip. They were at the Edition hotel in Miami. Jane recalled Diddy being “really happy” with Jane and Kabrale on the NYC trip and wanted him in Miami as well.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend began to cry during testimony Monday while recalling her discomfort with alleged “hotel nights.”
The jury was shown texts from Sept. 17, 2023. In a message, Diddy asked if Jane was on the plane. She told him she would text when she boarded. She then sent a picture of her outfit from the plane, telling him, “I grabbed this in case we end up doing anything…”
Jane, testifying under a pseudonym, explained to the jury that she was going to wear the outfit to dinner.
More text messages from Combs to Jane on Sept. 17, 2023 were shown. In one the rapper said, “Let’s have a good time…”
Jane testified they went to a late, late night club, but not to dinner or shopping as Diddy had previously promised.
Jane wrote in a message to Diddy, “Miss my pretty heart d—.” Later she wrote, “You turn me on like crazy…”
According to Jane, while on the flight she received a message from Diddy that made her upset.
Diddy had texted, “Entertainment or movie night…” Jane said she remembers feeling upset and disappointed, and a little defeated. She said she was trying to brush away the question about entertainment. Jane previously testified an “entertainment” night meant she would have to have sex with a male entertainer.
Diddy wrote, “Check red phone,” a reference to the message he sent from the other phone. He then wrote he had a surprise. Jane began to cry on the stand and said she understood that Combs was “going to introduce [her] to somebody new.”
“I hated it,” she told the jury.
Diddy then sent Jane a picture of a man with a link to Cowboys for Angels. In response, Jane sent Combs a text trying to suggest “some nice places we could go to.”
Jane explained that night in New York City, Combs picked her up late. She said she waited in the car and the last alternative was to go to a lounge. According to Jane, she was showing discomfort about “these nights” and Diddy got defensive. He then allegedly gave her ecstasy, she was in lingerie, heels and “this new man was coming.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Jane, Sean “Diddy” Combs’
ex-girlfriend, testified the rapper told her what she “wanted to hear” after she expressed that she didn’t want to participate in “hotel nights” anymore.
According to Jane, “hotel nights” occurred frequently when she dated Diddy from 2021 until his arrest in 2024. She would allegedly dress up in lingerie and have sex with other people in front of the rapper. The “hotel nights” could last anywhere from 24 hours to multiple days.
In a text to Diddy from 2023, Jane wrote that she had opened Pandora’s box and hadn’t been able to close it. According to Jane, she was doing things that made her feel disgusted with herself.
Jane sent this message twice, once to each of Diddy’s phones to “make sure he got the message.”
Combs responded, “Girl stop. Let’s talk…call me ASAP.”
In an audio message to Jane, Diddy said, “Yes…the message you just sent me…what is the problem like…why do you have to make it a problem?”
Jane testified that Diddy did not respond to her comments about “hotel nights.” She wrote, “call me back.” Combs then texted, “love you baby.”
In between the text messages, Jane testified the two had a FaceTime call and Diddy “said all the things I wanted to hear…”
She continued, telling the jury he told her he loved her, wanted to see her, missed her and she calmed down. Diddy then allegedly promised they would go to dinner, shopping, a proper New York City trip. Jane said Combs did not say anything about “hotel nights,” so she did not think there would be one.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” combs’ ex-girlfriend testified she felt obligated to perform for “hotel nights” because the rapper was paying her rent.
In September 2023, Combs had been paying Jane’s rent for a few months.
Jane claimed she started developing feelings regarding Diddy and the house, like a guilt-trip, and felt she had to perform since she began living in the home in April 2023.
“I felt like he had made such a big purchase and this was something I had to do in return…” she told the jury.
More texts were shown including one where Jane wrote that she opened Pandora’s box and hadn’t been able to close it. In the message, she said she had been doing things that made her feel disgusted with herself.
Jane said she sent this message to to both of the “Last Night” rapper’s phones to “make sure he got the message.”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex, testifying under the pseudonym Jane, told the jury she agreed to a “hotel night” in return for a yacht trip with the rapper in 2023.
However, Jane claimed Diddy took another woman on the trip.
Jane explained she saw a podcast where Diddy was bragging about a trip he had taken on a yacht and had sex for 48 hours straight with another woman. Jane said it was the trip she was supposed to take with Diddy, but they were too tired from the “hotel nights.”
Jane said she had agreed to a “hotel night” in order to go on the trip. The “hotel night” allegedly lasted two days, but they never went on the yacht. According to Jane, they spent time sleeping and recovering. After Jane left Miami, she said she saw on social media that Diddy had taken a girlfriend on the trip. She testified that she was sad and hurt. Combs was allegedly dismissive towards her.
The next time she saw Diddy was in Los Angeles. She claimed she met him at a hotel. She said Combs was downplaying everything about the yacht trip. Jane then heard the podcast about a month later where he boasted about the trip, having sex for 48 hours.
The jury was then shown a text where Diddy wrote, “what happened…I’m sad…”
The prosecution presented a message from Jane’s notes app dated Sept. 16, 2023. Jane wrote, “As much as I wanna see you, I don’t want to come there and me treated like a hoe for the millionth time…” Jane testified at the time she needed to write her feelings and wasn’t sure if she would send it. Ultimately, she sent a version to Diddy
In another message, Jane wrote that she didn’t want to be used to fulfill fantasies. Diddy told her it was “podcast talk.” He then wrote he was alone. “I’m tired of your false accusations…I didn’t have sex…”
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
After taking the stand Monday morning, prosecutors asked Jane about a series of text messages from September of 2023.
In one text, Sean “Diddy” Combs wrote, “Send me some s— of you being bad, girl.” Jane testified she understood Diddy to be asking for explicit videos. At the time, the two had been planning for Jane to travel to New York City. The rapper then asked the earliest Jane could arrive.
Jane wrote in a text, “Whoever you’re with needs to figure out how to get your d— hard on their own.”
According to Jane, she had assumed Combs was with another woman. Combs said he had the phone with him. Diddy then wrote, “Stop it. Don’t say no to me please.” Jane testified she was worried that Diddy was traveling with the phone they used to record explicit videos and others could have access to it.
Jane wrote, “That phone does not lock…you’re using our videos to get your d— hard for someone else.” Diddy wrote, “I was just asking you to send me something.” Jane responded, “I’m not coming to NY…it’s clear you just want me there to use me for a hotel b—-…”
Diddy’s ex-girlfriend began her testimony Thursday, telling the jury about the start of her relationship with the rapper in 2021. The two dated up until his arrest in September of 2024.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mom, Janice Combs, arrived at the Manhattan courthouse around 9am ET on Monday morning.
Janice continued to support her son as his ex-girlfriend is set to resume testimony against the rapper.
The ex, testifying under the pseudonym Jane
, cried multiple times Friday before taking a break for lunch. Jane began to cry when telling the jury that Diddy would decide when the “hotel nights” with other men stopped.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey asked if she needed a break. Jane sniffled and said she needed a minute. Jane said, through sniffles, she would give subtle cues to Diddy that she was tired. Jane claimed Combs would say, “You’re not getting tired on me are you? Let’s finish strong. End on a high note.”
Comey asked why she didn’t just stop. Jane broke down and said, “I don’t know.”
Jane also became emotional while telling the jury about having sex with three different men on her birthday, at the request of Diddy.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Bryana Bongolan, Cassie Ventura’s friend, testified on June 4 in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking and racketeering trial.
According to Bongolan, she wore a neck brace after Diddy allegedly dangled her off a 17-story apartment balcony.
Bongolan said she left Cassie’s Los Angeles apartment and went home after the incident in 2016. She went to take a shower because she felt “disgusting” and noticed a bruise on her leg. She claimed she also had back and neck pain.
The jury was shown photos, which were taken on the day of the alleged incident, of Bongolan’s legs with a visible bruise.
Bongolan claimed she went to the chiropractor the same day as the incident because she “was freaked out.” According to her, one of her managers said to go to the chiropractor. Bongolan claimed the chiropractor asked, “Who did this to you?” She said she did not tell the chiropractor. “I was scared,” Bongolan explained to the jury.
The jury was then shown a photo of Bongolan’s back and neck. There were bandages where the pain was, according to her testimony. Bongolan was wearing a neck brace from the chiropractor.
Bongolan explained she did not seek other medical attention right away because she “was scared” and had drugs in her system. She later sought medical treatment when she decided to get sober.
During cross-examination, Diddy’s defense presented receipts from the Trump International Hotel in New York City. His defense attorney pointed out the rapper could not have been in Los Angeles and NYC, accusing Bongolan of lying.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs
filed a letter in support of a renewed motion for a mistrial, citing prosecutorial misconduct, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
In the letter, filed June 7 in the Southern District of New York, Diddy’s legal team argued that the prosecution knowingly presented false testimony to the court.
Jurors heard testimony last week from Cassie Ventura’s friend, Bryana “Bana” Bongolan, who claimed Diddy dangled her off a 17th floor balcony in September 2016.
Portions of her testimony were questioned after Bana couldn’t remember details of the alleged incident, including what drugs she was on at the time.
Diddy’s legal team wrote that Cassie and Bana each provided “demonstrably false” evidence about the balcony allegation to the court, and then “doubled down, using this false testimony to obtain a ruling admitting inadmissible hearsay evidence about it as well, all to present a false narrative to the jury.”
During court Monday morning, the prosecution noted the government plans to respond to the defense’s motion today. Judge Arun Subramanian said he’d address it Tuesday.
Read more about Diddy’s second attempt to secure a mistrial in his federal trial for sex crimes.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in court Monday as his ex-girlfriend is expected to continue testifying against the disgraced music mogul.
Diddy was seen standing at the defense table wearing a light colored sweater and chatting with his attorneys before taking a seat.
The rapper’s ex-girlfriend, testifying under the pseudonym Jane, first took the stand Thursday. Jane testified she had been in a relationship with Diddy from 2021 until he was arrested in 2024. She became emotional recalling the first time she had sex with another person in front of Diddy.
According to Jane, Diddy requested “hotel nights” where she would be required to have sex with another man in front of the rapper. These nights would allegedly last multiple days.
Diddy’s ex-girlfriend claimed the rapper would threaten to cut her off financially any chance he got if she didn’t fulfill his expectations – including “hotel nights.”
Jane is expected to continue her testimony through Monday before Diddy’s defense begins cross-examination.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
Throughout the first four weeks of the federal sex crimes trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs, many celebrities have been mentioned during various testimony.
In the fourth week, Madonna, Leonardo DiCaprio and Beyoncé were among the big names who were mentioned.
Diddy’s former assistant, who testified under the pseudonym Mia, testified she was hired by Madonna “to help lead her film division” shortly after she was let go by the rapper in March 2017.
Some of Mia’s text exchanges with Diddy were also read in court, and they mentioned Mick Jagger and DiCaprio, with one of the texts stating fun experiences she had with the rapper, like, “Mick Jagger trying to take me home, but I ran away,” and “Leo [DiCaprio] grabbed my pink bedazzled BlackBerry, and you [Diddy] said that Titanic mother f—– doesn’t know s—. He won 10K, I won 650K.”
Mia also mentioned, Judd Apatow and Chadwick Boseman in various text messages to Diddy.
During the testimony of Cassie Ventura’s friend, Bryana Bongolan, she claimed she and Cassie were working on a clothing line with Diamond Supply Company that didn’t work out, with Diddy’s lawyers claiming it was because they were competing with Beyoncé and Rhianna.
Stars previously mentioned during the trial include, Usher, former President Barack Obama, Biggie Smalls and Jennifer Lopez, as well as Britney Spears, Prince, Michael B. Jordan and Bruce Willis. None of the stars mentioned have been accused of any wrongdoing.
Singer Dawn Richard
even took the stand, as did rapper Kid Cudi, who allegedly clashed with Diddy after his brief relationship with Cassie, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend.
Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
The federal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking is entering its fifth week of testimony, and it seems the judge is unhappy with the rapper.
During the fourth week of testimony, Judge Arun Subramanian threatened to have Diddy removed from the courtroom, as he accused the disgraced rapper of making faces at members of the jury.
The judge called Diddy’s behavior “absolutely unacceptable,” claiming he caught him “vigorously nodding” twice while his defense team was questioning a witness.
Diddy was told he would be removed from the courtroom and banned if his behavior continued, and was later seen smiling after his lawyers spoke with him about it.
The witness in question was Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
She testified that Diddy grabbed her and dangled her from a balcony of a 17 floor apartment building in Los Angeles, with his lawyers arguing she’s lying as he was out of town during the alleged interaction.
During Kid Cudi’s testimony on May 22, a 2011 break-in at the rapper’s home was brought up.
Kid Cudi testified that early in the morning he received a call from Cassie Ventura to say Diddy had found out about their relationship. At the time, Kid Cudi and Cassie had been seeing each other during a break in the singer’s relationship with Combs.
Cassie allegedly called to say Diddy had found out about their relationship. Kid Cudi testified she sounded “nervous” and “scared” on the phone and he went to pick her up. According to Kid Cudi, he was confused because he didn’t think Cassie was still dealing with Combs at the time. He told the jury when he picked Cassie up, she was “very stressed, nervous, scared, didn’t know what Sean Combs would do.”
After picking Cassie up, they allegedly went to the Sunset Marquis, because it was “someplace safe” and “off the radar.”
At the Sunset, Kid Cudi spoke with Diddy’s assistant, Capricorn Clark, on speakerphone. Kid Cudi testified that Clark sounded “very scared” and seemed to be crying. He said Clark, told him that Diddy was at Cudi’s house and alleged she was forced to go with him. Clark allegedly waited in the car. Kid Cudi testified he drove home after the call.
On the drive to his house, Kid Cudi claimed he called Diddy and asked, “muthaf—-, you in my house?” Combs allegedly responded that he just wanted to talk. Cudi told him he was on his way home. Kid Cudi says Diddy’s tone was calm.
Cudi claimed when he arrived home, he found his security cameras weren’t working and were positioned as if someone had moved them out of the way.
Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.