Donald Trump Jr has publicly defended British comedian Russell Brand following his conviction for rape and sexual assault, claiming he was treated unfairly by what he described as a ‘two-tier justice system’ in Britain.
The US president’s eldest son made the comments in a video posted on his popular MAGA-focused Rumble show, where the headline accompanying his remarks read: ‘Britain’s Two-Tier Justice Exposed.’
Trump Jr, 48, questioned the legitimacy of the evidence presented during Brand’s trial and suggested that the comedian’s Christian faith and conservative political views may have contributed to his prosecution.
Brand Sentenced to 10 Years and Six Months in Prison
Brand was sentenced on Monday to 10 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
The verdict followed a jury trial in which Brand was convicted on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women.
However, he was cleared of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
During his broadcast, Trump Jr argued that the allegations were not supported by what he considered sufficient evidence.
“He was convicted, by the way, with no forensic evidence, no DNA, no police report at the time, now decades old, to allegations dating back to 1999,” he said.
Trump Jr References Allegations Dating Back to 1999
Trump Jr also referred to Brand’s former marriage to singer Katy Perry, questioning why allegations had not attracted similar attention when the comedian was at the height of his fame.
He said Brand had been one of the world‘s most famous actors during his marriage to Perry and suggested that nobody appeared to regard him as a rapist at the time.
The 1999 allegation referenced by Trump Jr was among the charges Brand faced during the trial. However, it was also one of the allegations the jury rejected.
The alleged incident reportedly took place in a Bournemouth hotel room during the Labour Party conference.
Judge Criticises Brand’s Conduct Towards Women
Brand’s rape conviction relates to a 21-year-old fan whom he met backstage at a comedy performance in west London in 2009.
The court heard that Brand subsequently raped the woman at his home.
The incident occurred approximately a year before his marriage to Perry.
During sentencing, Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand that he had demonstrated a “casual and arrogant disregard” for women and had become a sexual predator as his fame increased.
The judge also criticised Brand’s testimony, describing his denial of ever touching a woman sexually without her consent as one of a series of lies.
Megyn Kelly Also Attacks Brand’s Sentence
Trump Jr was not the only prominent conservative media personality to criticise Brand’s sentence.
American broadcaster Megyn Kelly used Monday’s edition of her SiriusXM programme to attack the punishment, describing the case as a “political witch hunt against Russell Brand.”
Kelly, who interviewed Brand as a guest in April while he was awaiting trial, told her listeners that she did not believe the allegations against him.
She also played down the seriousness of the convictions, describing the conduct involved as groping, kissing and sniffing.
Trump Jr Previously Defended Brand Following Initial Allegations
The latest comments are not the first time Trump Jr has spoken in support of Brand.
In 2023, when the initial allegations against the comedian emerged, Trump’s eldest son had already defended him.
At the time, controversial internet personality Andrew Tate also welcomed Brand to what he described as “the club.”
Brand’s father, Ronald, also spoke to reporters outside the court on Monday following the sentencing.
He described the women who accused his son as “the girls who chased him and harassed him” and suggested that the jury might have been corrupted.
More People Come Forward Following Brand’s Conviction
Meanwhile, London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed on Tuesday that additional people had come forward with information or reported potential offences following the jury’s verdict.
Trump Jr concluded his video by questioning the length of Brand’s prison sentence, comparing it with punishments given to men convicted in Britain’s grooming gang cases.
He challenged why the comedian had received a longer sentence than some individuals convicted in those cases, continuing his criticism of the British justice system.
