Fact Check: Did Wendy Williams testify at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal trial?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK: A claim that Wendy Williams took the stand to testify against Sean “Diddy” Combs during his federal criminal trial in New York has gone viral online.
While the former talk show host has made headlines in the past for her candid takes on celebrities including Diddy, let's find out if there's any truth to the claim of her testifying in the trial, which recently concluded its second week of testimony.
Claim: Wendy Williams testified at Sean Diddy Combs' trial
The claim, which gained traction in May 2025, spread across platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and especially YouTube. Many posts referenced serious charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs, including racketeering, trafficking, and obstruction of justice, and claimed that Wendy Williams was involved as a witness.
The claim appears to have originated from a video uploaded to a YouTube channel called WhatIsMyStarWorth which featured a compilation of old footage of Williams and Diddy.
It claimed, "In a shocking twist no one saw coming, Wendy Williams, the 'queen of hot topics,' the one they tried to silence has now taken the stand in federal court. After decades of rumor, suspicions, and relentless industry backlash, Wendy is finally putting it all on record."
Fact Check: No, Wendy Williams did not testify at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial
There is no evidence that Wendy Williams appeared at any court proceedings related to Sean "Diddy" Combs. A simple search on Google or DuckDuckGo reveals no coverage of such an event by any credible news outlet.
Moreover, the video, publsihed on May 21, 2025, was labeled with multiple disclaimers noting that its content was fictional and created using AI tools.
The video came with a clear disclaimer, “The content on this channel may contain gossip-based information, rumors, or exaggerated portrayals of reality. Please exercise your own discretion while watching and remember that not all information presented may be factual or verified.”
It's description reads, “This content is fictional and intended for entertainment purposes only. No verified court documents or official statements confirm these claims.” It also includes a section labeled “how this content was made,” which states that both sound and visuals were “significantly edited or digitally generated.”
In fact, when run through the Hive Moderation AI-detection tool, the video’s voiceover was found to be 99% likely AI-generated, as per fact-checking outlet Snopes.
The claim is just the latest in a series of fabricated celebrity stories published by WhatIsMyStarWorth, which has also falsely alleged testimony from Samuel L Jackson and Usher, as well as a supposed courtroom debut of a secret Prince recording.
These videos are often paired with AI-generated thumbnails showing celebrities in courtroom settings to make the content appear legitimate at first glance.
The video also claimed that the story was first reported by Inner City Press, a legitimate media outlet known for covering federal court cases. However, Inner City Press has made no mention of Williams in relation to the Diddy trial and has previously denied involvement in similar fabricated claims.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces courtroom reckoning in explosive trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs’ high-stakes federal trial officially began on May 5, 2025, with jury selection. Opening statements and witness testimony commenced on May 12, 2025.
In their opening statement, prosecutors outlined what they allege is a long-running and deeply disturbing operation orchestrated by the hip-hop and business mogul.
The 55-year-old is facing five criminal counts in total. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. The rapper has pleaded not guilty and continues to deny all allegations, calling them false and opportunistic.
Combs is also facing a growing number of civil lawsuits that paint a damning picture of abuse, manipulation, and intimidation. These lawsuits accuse the Bad Boy Records founder of leveraging his wealth and status to drug, assault, and silence victims over a period spanning more than three decades.
The wave of legal trouble began with a bombshell lawsuit filed by R&B singer Cassie Ventura in late 2023, alleging years of abuse.
Though that lawsuit was settled just one day after filing, it opened the floodgates for further claims including one tied to a now-infamous hotel security video from 2016, which was published by CNN in 2024 and showed Diddy violently attacking Ventura in a hallway.
Following public outrage, the disgraced rapper issed an apology, saying, “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now.”
