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Outside the Manhattan courthouse where Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing serious legal charges, a crowd of people in matching “Free Diddy” or “Free $Diddy” shirts appeared during the trial. Videos and eyewitness accounts started circulating online, raising questions about whether these people were genuine supporters or had been paid to show up.
Several journalists and news outlets began to investigate. Some reporters spoke directly to participants. Others captured video footage of conversations suggesting that people were offered money to wear the shirts and protest.
There is still confusion about who paid the protesters and why. Some have connected the event to a memecoin reportedly promoted by Combs’ sons. Others see it as a possible effort to sway public opinion during a serious trial. Here's what is currently known.
Were people really paid to wear "Free Diddy" shirts?
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter on May 21, 2025, some protesters stated that they were offered $20 an hour to participate. Several videos showed individuals describing how they were approached and asked to wear the shirts. In one video, a woman explained she was offered the deal but turned it down.
Journalist Emilie Hagen shared that she witnessed these offers in person. She spoke with one woman who declined to take the money, but others nearby accepted and joined the crowd. The woman’s video has since gone viral on social media.
Some protesters were reportedly paid up to $60 total for standing outside the courthouse. The group wore the same shirts and appeared quiet and organized, which made some observers question if the protest was staged or coordinated by someone behind the scenes.
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Who organized the protest, and is it linked to the $DIDDY coin?
Some believe the protest may have been a marketing strategy for a cryptocurrency called $DIDDY. This coin is said to be connected to Diddy’s sons. The matching shirts used the same name and dollar sign branding, which added to the theory.
The Economic Times, on May 19, 2025, noted that some observers thought the protest looked like a publicity stunt. Many of the people present did not appear to have a clear reason for supporting Diddy. Instead, they were there for the money, according to bystanders and journalists.
No one has confirmed who paid for the protest or whether it was officially tied to the $DIDDY coin. There is also no proof linking Diddy or his legal team to organizing the protest. Still, the coincidence between the protest signs and the coin’s name has raised questions.
Multiple news sources and eyewitness videos confirm that some “Free Diddy” protesters were offered money to stand outside the courthouse. Most reports say the offer was $20 per hour to wear a specific shirt and appear in public during the trial. Some took the money, while others declined.
It is still unknown who funded the protest or why. Some suspect a link to a memecoin called $DIDDY, but no official statement has been made yet.
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