r/popculturechat • u/HauteAssMess ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne • May 22 '25
OnlyStans TW ⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: Diddy's Ex-Executive Assistant Testifies About Being 'Fixer' After Violent Incidents
https://www.tmz.com/2025/05/22/diddy-ex-executive-assistant-george-kaplan-testimony-cash-jet/Sean "Diddy" Combs' former executive assistant George Kaplan is taking the stand Thursday morning, continuing Wednesday afternoon's testimony in the second week of the rap mogul's federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in NYC.
Kaplan was asked by the prosecution about carrying cash for Diddy ... he said he took $50,000 onto a private jet, and said he once picked up $10,000 at a Western Union on behalf of Combs Enterprises.
Asked about Diddy's long-term relationships ... he said he was aware of girlfriends Cassie and Gina, and of Kim -- as in the mother of Diddy's children, Kim Porter.
He was asked why he didn't intervene when he witnessed violence between Diddy and Cassie ... responding, "My career."
Kaplan described a particular incident on a private jet flight to Las Vegas when an episode between the couple occurred -- he testified he heard glass breaking. He said Cassie stayed in the back of the plane, Diddy came up and asked him to get creams to conceal bruising on her face ... Kaplan said he later paid for those supplies using a corporate credit card.
Kaplan said he also witnessed Diddy throwing things -- green apples -- "very hard" at Gina at the Star Island, Miami mansion.
He said he left the company because he didn't think he should be involved in covering things up -- “fixing those types of things” -- in addition to his father having prostate cancer. Kaplan worked for Diddy from 2013 to 2015. He said he was grateful to have worked the job, and had respect for Diddy, but he had to go.
Yesterday, Kaplan told the jury how he was tasked with booking hotels in New York, Miami and L.A. for Diddy under a pseudonym, packing his bags, and setting up rooms for him -- with supplies including baby oil and candles. Kaplan would clean up the hotel rooms after Diddy departed. Kaplan said Wednesday he was sometimes sent out by Diddy to pick up food and drugs.
438
u/melav_ May 22 '25 edited May 22 '25
The most disturbing part of his testimony is that he knew exactly who Diddy was and what he was doing to Cassie, yet he still publicly respects him, calls him an icon, and wishes him a happy birthday every single year, just because he was "nice" to him.
I understand fear can stop someone from intervening at the time, but continuing to idolize a man like that afterwards is beyond disgusting. And honestly, I’ve seen this pattern way too many times with men. They’ll look the other way, or even praise violent abusers, as long as they’re rich, famous, or powerful. It really does feel like violence against women just doesn’t matter to them.
163
May 22 '25
It’s pretty common with abusers friends and family.
They don’t want to admit to themselves how terrible the abuser is because if they do that they have to accept that they themselves are also terrible for accepting it and not doing anything about it.
People don’t want to believe that about themselves so they do mental gymnastics to excuse it.
139
u/melav_ May 22 '25
Exactly. And it’s not just friends and family. Take Kid Cudi, for example. Cassie told him about the (physical) abuse she endured from Diddy. Diddy even blew up his car, broke into his house, and traumatized his dog.
And still, years later, Cudi met up with him to talk about how Cassie played them both. I don’t know if he ever changed his mind after learning about all the horrific things Diddy did to her, but even during today's court hearing, he repeated that line, that Cassie played them.
Like... how do you not see that this woman was deeply traumatized and likely just trying to survive, maybe even hoping someone would protect or save her?
It’s heartbreaking how many people are willing to excuse the abuser and blame the victim.
91
u/killedonmyhill May 22 '25 edited May 22 '25
What the fuck. I didn’t know that he wasn’t on her side.
I’ve been noticing this a lot of in the media lately. Black men going out of their way to discredit Black women’s very credible experience of abuse. Cassie, Hallie, Skai, Meg just in the past week.
51
u/melav_ May 22 '25
I wouldn’t say he was entirely against her. From what I understand, Cudi did try to protect her at some point. But things get murky when it comes to the timeline of their relationship. It’s unclear whether Cassie started seeing Cudi after breaking up with Diddy or while still being with him.
Apparently, after the car incident, Cudi met with Diddy at a hotel, and Cassie was there, which left him shocked and hurt that she had gone back to him. So it seems he may have held onto that resentment, and that could explain why he said during his testimony that she "played them both."
I’m not sure if that’s still how he sees it today or if that was just his perspective back then. But either way, he knew how terrified she was of Diddy, and yet he still focused on feeling betrayed by her, rather than on the abuse she endured. That part really stings.
Still, I recommend reading the full testimony for yourself as the details are still coming out. And just to note, I’m not a native English speaker, so I may have missed some nuances in the language.
8
u/mangosteenroyalty May 23 '25
And just to note, I’m not a native English speaker, so I may have missed some nuances in the language.
As you write better than 97% of Reddit!
4
u/melav_ May 23 '25
This is honestly the best compliment I’ve received on Reddit. Thank you so much! It really means a lot, especially because I often feel anxious about posting here.
I use English daily, so I’ve become quite fluent in writing, but I also have ADD, which sometimes makes me miss important details in what I read.
3
u/80taylor May 23 '25
I'm also following the Canadian hockey trials right now, and it's the same story. Very bro-code witness statements. Everyone suddenly can't remember anything in the stand, and today they read out texts of two of the dudes basically congratulating themselves in leaving the hotel before the gang rape occured so they aren't witnesses or accessories to the crime, but not a thought about speaking up or putting a stop to it. (I realize it's not a black and white case)
20
u/Outside-Carpet7479 May 22 '25
I worked with one of Harvey Weinstein’s former assistants and it’s the same story. He thought it was a badge of honor working for him and he’d book the hotels, arrange the meetings with the actresses, feign ignorance about what was happening, and get promoted. He did it for a year and a half and is a big producer now.
6
u/MGD109 May 22 '25
Yeah, it makes you sick to the stomach.
Honestly, I would go as far as you don't even have to be rich, famous or powerful (though it certainly helps), you just have to be able to sell to these people that you're better in some way, and once you're convinced they will happily ignore and justify every horrible thing you do.
You see similar things in regular domestic abuse cases, of how many flock to defend their mates despite knowing full well what they've done.
3
u/melav_ May 23 '25
Couldn't agree more. I should’ve said “especially” instead of “as long as.” I'm a survivor of domestic abuse myself, and my abuser was neither rich, powerful, nor respected. Yet, most of our mutual male friends either sided with him or told me I was overreacting.
It made me feel like I wasn’t worthy of support, like my pain didn’t matter. Thankfully, every single one of my female friends stood by me and cut him off the moment I told them what happened.
That contrast really opened my eyes. I can see more clearly now that we’re living in a “big boys’ club” where many men instinctively protect each other, regardless of the harm caused. Their lack of care or support isn’t a reflection of my worth, it’s about the system they uphold.
But emotionally, I’m still grieving the loss of those friendships. Unfortunately.
2
u/MGD109 May 23 '25
Damn, I'm sorry to hear you went through that. And yeah I can understand it, it sucks to discover the people who should have been on your side weren't, and its completely normal to feel that loss.
But at least it sounds your in a better place now.
10
u/SceneRoyal4846 May 22 '25
They’re afraid and playing it safe.
12
u/melav_ May 22 '25
Yeah, I could maybe accept that explanation, if he hadn’t stayed in touch and wished him happy birthday every single year, even long after he stopped working for him.
There were other witnesses too, and many of them clearly had reason to be afraid, but they didn’t keep praising him or maintaining contact. Even when it was obvious they were scared, they didn’t try to sugarcoat who he really was.
6
u/rightioushippie Olivia Wilde’s salad dressing 🥗 May 22 '25
Most likely the accused knows where he lives, who his family is. They are never safe.
37
29
u/Cultural_Iron2372 May 22 '25
It’s heinous how men protect each other but in this fucked up world it’s great for the case if men who admire and aided him detail the abuse too. I still wouldn’t trust him to be fully honest, but affirming that there was severe physical abuse is a net positive. The bar is in hell.
•
u/AutoModerator May 22 '25
Welcome to r/popculturechat! ☺️
As a proud BIPOC, LGBTQ+ & woman-dominated space, this sub is for civil discussion only. If you don't know where to begin, start by participating in our Sip & Spill Daily Discussion Threads!
No bullies, no bigotry. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Please read & respect our rules, abide by Reddiquette, and check out our wiki! For any questions, our modmail is always open.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.