Elon Musk voices support for Russell Brand after sexual assault conviction

She also described Brand as a conservative figure who had been targeted. Brand was sentenced on Monday to 10 and a half years in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. The allegations included an incident in which a woman said Brand had sex with her without consent, leaving her bleeding and in pain.

Brand maintained that the encounter was consensual. Musk’s intervention has drawn attention to the support Brand has received from prominent American commentators, particularly those associated with anti-establishment politics. Brand has built a substantial online following through videos discussing government authority, the media, Covid-19 vaccination campaigns and other political issues.

His political positioning has changed over the years. Brand was once associated with left-wing activism and called for socialist policies during a 2013 appearance onBBC’s. Newsnight.

His online commentary became increasingly conservative and conspiratorial during the coronavirus pandemic, helping him attract an American audience. Tucker Carlson, who previously interviewed Brand and expressed concern about the possibility of a prison sentence, has not publicly commented on the conviction.

Donald Trump Jr. had also appeared on Brand’s programme in 2024. Musk’s response adds another prominent name to the public debate surrounding Brand’s case, although his criticism does not change the jury’s verdict or the sentence imposed by the court.