Elon Musk voices support for Russell Brand after sexual assault conviction

Megyn Kelly also challenged the jury’s decision, while other conservative figures have remained silent

Elon Musk has weighed in on Russell Brand’s criminal conviction, questioning the legal standard behind the case after the former comedian was found guilty of rape and sexual assault in the UK.

The tech billionaire responded to a post on X mocking Brand’s conviction, describing the legal standard as “crazy”. His remarks came a day after conservative commentator Megyn Kelly publicly challenged the jury’s decision, expressing disbelief at the outcome.

Kelly said she did not accept the charges simply because the jury had reached a guilty verdict. 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 on BBC’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.