Witness: Daniel Phillip

Daniel Phillip’s Testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial: Days 1-2 Highlights On May 12 and May 13, 2025, during Days 1 and 2 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan, Daniel Phillip, a former manager of a male revue show, testified at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York. Phillip, who described himself as a stripper, provided graphic and disturbing testimony about his paid sexual encounters with Combs’ then-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura between 2012 and 2014, alleging that Combs orchestrated these encounters and exhibited violent behavior toward Ventura. His testimony aimed to support the prosecution’s claim that Combs ran a criminal enterprise involving coercion and sex trafficking through drug-fueled 'freak-offs.' Background and Role in the Trial Daniel Phillip was called as the prosecution’s second witness, following Israel Florez, a former hotel security guard who testified about Combs’ 2016 assault on Ventura. Phillip’s role was to provide firsthand evidence of the 'freak-offs'—elaborate, drug-fueled sexual performances involving male escorts, which prosecutors allege Combs used to coerce women, including Ventura, into sexual acts. Phillip’s testimony came after opening statements on May 12, where the prosecution accused Combs of running a criminal enterprise, while the defense admitted to Combs’ domestic violence but denied the federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Phillip’s account aimed to illustrate Combs’ alleged coercion and violence, central to the prosecution’s case against the 55-year-old music mogul, who faces life in prison if convicted. Key Points of Daniel Phillip’s Testimony 1. Initial Encounter at the Gramercy Park Hotel Phillip began his testimony on May 12, recounting his first encounter with Ventura and Combs in 2012 at the Gramercy Park Hotel in Manhattan. He told the jury he initially thought he was hired to dance at a bachelorette party, but Ventura answered the door alone, wearing a wig and sunglasses, and led him into the room. Phillip described Combs sitting in a corner, wearing a dressing gown, bandanna mask, and ball cap, watching and masturbating as Phillip had sex with Ventura. Phillip said Combs directed their actions after the second session, often filming with a camcorder and instructing them to use more baby oil, saying, 'You don’t have enough on.' The encounter, which lasted up to 10 hours, netted Phillip between $700 and $6,000, depending on his performance. He noted one instance where he wasn’t paid because he 'couldn’t perform,' highlighting the transactional nature of the encounters. 2. Nature and Frequency of the 'Freak-Offs' Phillip testified that these 'freak-offs' occurred multiple times between 2012 and 2014, at hotels in New York, such as the Gramercy Park and Essex Hotels, or at the couple’s residences. He described the sessions as lasting from one to 10 hours, with Combs often masked and issuing specific instructions on the sexual acts to perform. Phillip told the jury that Combs recorded the encounters, which prosecutors allege he used as 'collateral' to ensure Ventura’s compliance. Phillip’s role was to have sex with Ventura while Combs watched, a pattern he said became routine over the two years. He communicated primarily with Ventura via text, often checking on her well-being, indicating his concern for her safety amidst Combs’ alleged control. 3. Witnessing Combs’ Violence Toward Ventura A significant portion of Phillip’s testimony focused on the violence he witnessed Combs inflict on Ventura. On May 12, he described an incident at the Gramercy Park Hotel where Combs threw a liquor bottle at Ventura when she didn’t immediately respond to his call, yelling, 'Bitch, when I tell you to come here, you come here now, not later.' Phillip said he heard what sounded like Combs smacking her in another room, followed by Ventura crying and yelling, 'I’m sorry.' In another instance at the Essex Hotel, Phillip heard Ventura being 'slapped around and slammed around the room,' with her pleading apologies. He recounted Ventura running to him afterward, jumping into his lap and shaking, clearly terrified. Phillip told the jury he urged Ventura to leave Combs, warning her, 'You’re in real danger if you stay with him,' but she remained in the relationship, which prosecutors argue was due to Combs’ coercive control. 4. Intimidation Tactics and Fear of Retribution Phillip testified that Combs took a photo of his driver’s license 'for insurance,' which Phillip interpreted as a threat to his safety. He told the jury he never reported the violence to the police, fearing retribution from Combs, whom he described as having 'unlimited power.' Phillip explained, 'Chances are that even if I did go to the police, I still might be losing my life,' reflecting the culture of fear Combs allegedly cultivated. This intimidation, prosecutors argued, was part of Combs’ strategy to silence witnesses and victims, a key element of the racketeering charge. Phillip’s fear was palpable, as he noted Combs’ initial claim of being in the 'import/export business'—a quip that drew chuckles in the courtroom but underscored Combs’ perceived menace. 5. Cross-Examination by the Defense On May 13, defense attorney Xavier Donaldson conducted a rigorous cross-examination, aiming to undermine Phillip’s credibility and portray Ventura as a willing participant in the 'freak-offs.' Donaldson questioned Phillip about his feelings for Ventura, suggesting he had developed a crush on her and wanted to isolate her from Combs for romantic reasons. Phillip admitted he would have dated Ventura if given the chance, saying, 'Had she ever given me the chance to date her, I absolutely would have,' but denied any ulterior motives. The defense also probed inconsistencies in Phillip’s statements to prosecutors, such as his claim of not using oil before undressing, which he corrected on the stand. Donaldson asked if Ventura appeared to be 'in complete control' of her actions with Combs, to which Phillip’s responses suggested her autonomy was limited by Combs’ dominance. The defense’s strategy was to frame the encounters as consensual, aligning with their broader argument that Combs’ actions, while flawed, did not constitute a criminal enterprise. Legal and Trial Context Phillip’s testimony followed Florez’s account of the 2016 hotel assault and preceded Ventura’s four-day testimony starting on May 13. The prosecution used Phillip to illustrate the operational details of the 'freak-offs' and Combs’ alleged violence, supporting their claim of a racketeering enterprise. The defense, led by Teny Geragos, acknowledged Combs’ domestic violence but argued it didn’t equate to sex trafficking or racketeering, a stance Geragos emphasized in her opening statement. Phillip’s graphic testimony caused Combs’ three daughters—D’Lila, Jessie, and Chance—to leave the courtroom multiple times, while his sons remained stone-faced, passing notes. Posts on X reflected public shock at the explicit details, with some users highlighting Phillip’s fear of Combs, though these sentiments are inconclusive. Implications and Next Steps Phillip’s testimony provided critical evidence of Combs’ alleged coercion and violence, particularly his use of recordings and intimidation to control Ventura, aligning with the prosecution’s sex trafficking narrative. However, the defense’s cross-examination introduced doubts about Phillip’s motives and Ventura’s agency, potentially influencing the jury’s perception. As the trial continues, upcoming testimony from witnesses like Kid Cudi and a male hotel employee will likely further explore the allegations of coercion and control central to the case, challenging the jury to weigh these accounts against the defense’s consensual narrative.

Compiled from news sources and summarized by Grok.

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