Megyn Kelly speaks out about Russell Brand’s rape allegations
Megyn Kelly fought back against her “knee-jerk instinct” to support Russell Brand and denounce those who accused him of rape and sexual assault as “liars.”
Kelly took time during her SiriusXM podcast “The Megyn Kelly Show” on Monday to comment on the scandal rocking Britain, where news organizations have reported extensively on Brand’s alleged sex crimes.
Brand, the 48-year-old comedian and actor who has reinvented himself as an online commentator and podcaster, has been accused of assaulting four women he dated.
The women made the allegations as part of an investigation by the Times and Sunday Times newspapers and Channel 4.
In a video statement released Friday in response to the media claims, Brand said his relationships have “always been consensual.”
High-profile figures such as Tesla mogul Elon Musk, social media influencer Andrew Tate and former Fox News primetime host Tucker Carlson have expressed their support for Brand.
“I realize that so many people’s knee-jerk reaction is, ‘Russell Brand is being wrongly accused.'” “These women are all liars,” Kelly told her SiriusXM listeners on Monday.
“I’m sorry, that’s very detailed.”
One woman claims Brand raped her against the wall in his Los Angeles home, while another, who says she started dating him when she was 16, claims he “forcibly shoved his penis down my throat.” and thereby suffocates her.
The legal age of consent in the UK is 16.
Brand has denied the claims. The Post has reached out to Brand’s representatives for comment.
Kelly noted that one of Brand’s alleged victims sought treatment at a medical facility in Santa Monica on the day the actor and comedian raped her without wearing a condom.
The alleged victim, “Nadia,” told the Times that Brand sent text messages apologizing and “embarrassing my behavior.”
“For a second stay, could you please be open to the possibility that the women are telling the truth?” Kelly said, citing the text messages and the fact that the alleged victim was seeking treatment.
Kelly added: “We don’t need to correct the #MeToo movement to the point where every woman is completely ignored and called a liar if she finds the courage to come forward and make an accusation.”
“Maybe they’re telling the truth!”
The #MeToo movement is named after the social media hashtag that went viral in 2017 encouraging women to share stories about how they were victims of powerful men in Hollywood, media, finance and other industries.
Kelly said perceived excesses of #MeToo should not prevent a deeper investigation into Brand’s alleged behavior.
“It’s worth investigating,” she said. “We don’t need the knee-jerk ‘convict him’.” And we don’t need the knee-jerk ‘convict her’!”
Kelly criticized those who wanted to side with Brand.
“I’m just mad because what I’ve seen is like a bunch of guys saying, ‘This is bullshit,'” she said. “You don’t know if it’s bulls-t or not!”
“Have you read that woman’s report?” Kelly said, referring to Nadia.
“Have you read the details of the alleged rape? Have you read the text message she received from Russell Brand asking for forgiveness?”
“There is at least enough to want more facts. That’s it.”
