Fans Have New Reaction to Diddy Arriving at ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ With an IV

Ellen DeGeneres and Sean “Diddy” Combs cultivated a public friendship marked by playful banter and mutual admiration. Their interactions, often showcased on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, highlighted a dynamic blend of humor and camaraderie. Their rapport has also been evident during interviews, such as a 2018 episode where DeGeneres humorously pressured Combs to attend her party on time, emphasizing that “the celebration truly begins” when he arrives. Now, we’re looking back at a moment when Combs arrived at the talk show with an IV. Here’s why fans see the clip in a new light in the wake of his trial.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs once arrived at ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ with an IV

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial, which began on May 5, 2025, has unveiled disturbing allegations of a long-running sex trafficking and racketeering operation. Prosecutors allege that Combs coerced women into drug-fueled sexual encounters, known as “freak-offs,” often involving male sex workers. Key witnesses, including his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and rapper Kid Cudi, have testified about threats, physical abuse, and intimidation tactics allegedly employed by Combs or his associates. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Well before Combs’ arrest, he guest-starred on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2017. As he entered the set, he explained how he “just got off a plane” after being on tour for “five nights in a row.”

“I walked in with an IV,” he added, looking at the blue bandage around his arm.

“I know,” Ellen DeGeneres said. “I walked back there, and he’s literally holding an IV. You just took that out yourself?”

Combs verified that he removed the IV while giving her his bandage he ripped off. “So I walk in, and I’m talking to Ellen, I have the IV in,” he explained. “And the blood is going down. I start to panic, I go into the bathroom, and I pulled it out myself, and I just made it here.”

“And I’m usually color coordinated, so that was all to explain why I had a blue bandage on like that,” the mogul continued.

Fans watching the clip now find the IV suspicious

In the federal indictment against Sean “Diddy” Combs, prosecutors allege that the so-called “freak-offs” were physically demanding and drug-fueled events. Victims reportedly required intravenous (IV) fluids to recover from the exertion and substance use during these gatherings. The indictment details that both Combs and the participants often received IV treatments afterward, highlighting the extreme nature of these alleged activities. To facilitate these events, Combs’ associates allegedly arranged for the delivery of IV fluids, among other supplies, to the locations where the parties took place.

Given this information, fans of The Ellen DeGeneres Show watched Combs’ clip in a new light. Some viewers think Combs used an IV to recover from a recent freak-off.

“Knowing what we know now, that IV makes a lot of sense,” a fan commented on the talk show clip.

“Now we know the real reason for the IV drip,” another fan wrote.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs explained the reason for the IV in another episode of ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’

Ellen DeGeneres and Sean “Diddy” Combs discussed Combs’ IV appearance in another episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Combs explained that due to his age, he needs as much help as he can get, which often means he receives injections to stay in peak physical form. He then had a realization about himself.

“You know what I just realized?” he said. “I’m a hypochondriac. I think that’s it. I’m looking at the movie — I didn’t really need the shot in my butt. I have an IV; I really wasn’t thirsty. You know what I’m saying?”

Combs added that he “works hard” and “plays hard,” which could refer to his wild partying ways. “So, then I try to balance it sometimes with the means of Western medicine,” he added, referring to the intravenous vitamins.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. 

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