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On Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sentencing day, sidewalks outside Manhattan federal court were congested with the usual cast of characters for high-profile proceedings: people with nothing better to do than voice grievances unrelated to court. One man toted a fluorescent-green poster board that offered a reward for unorthodox medical assistance. “People FUCK N.Y. FBI I’m offering you ($975,000,000) to help me get these poison tracking devices inside my body right now on (National Television in The News),” stated the poster. It also listed his phone number and Instagram handle. Much of what was unfolding outside early on had little to do with the Diddy trial itself.
One woman loudly complained about a psychologist — unclear if this shrink was an attendee or an influencer or a psychologist influencer in attendance — who was giving relationship advice. “She’s like, do this, do that. Bitch, where’s your ring?” A moment or so later, this woman gyrated and teased onlookers by tugging at her cutout tank top, as if she would flash them. A “Justice for Britney” proponent, present on verdict day, was also in attendance. A man with an “Israel Controls America” sign, sporting a black balaclava, was telling a streamer something to the effect of They hate Christians! And They hate white people! They! Someone in a full-body Clifford the Big Red Dog costume, adorned with steampunk-inspired goggles, had the word c- – – on his right hind paw and law on the other. The letters were made out of white tape.
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Over time, the area filled with still more onlookers. After Judge Arun Subramanian handed down a 50-month sentence, commentary ranged from the topical to promotional. One woman could be overheard saying, “When you’re in love, you do crazy shit.” One meandering man offered a carnival-barker-style pitch to social-media wannabes: “All podcasters, all streamers, y’all want your numbers to go up? Y’all better book me now!”
As journalists and a crowd of onlookers waited for Diddy’s family to leave, several helicopters lingered overhead. When Diddy’s children left the courthouse, some in the crowd shouted “Stay strong!” Diddy’s mother was similarly met with words of support as she exited the courthouse. “We love you, Mama Combs!’ rang out. She reciprocated this warmth with several waves as she walked away.
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