Podcast host Megyn Kelly exploded over the “knee-jerk” reactions to Russell Brand sexual assault allegations with an added reminder on how the justice system is meant to work.
“It’s worth investigating.”
(Video: The Megyn Kelly Show)
The manner in which accusations about the actor and comedian surfaced over the weekend was up for as much debate as the claims. As a result, many, including public figures like Elon Musk, have opted to take a side in the still-developing story.
During a discussion Monday on “The Megyn Kelly Show” with guests Savanah Hernandez and Will Witt, the former attorney spoke to the public’s impulse to cast judgement on the allegations from four separate women between 2006 and 2013.
“I realize that the knee-jerk instinct now by so many is, ‘Russell Brand is wrongly accused. These women are all liars.’ I’m sorry, this is extremely detailed,” she said after presenting some of the specific assault claims. “And then the case of the other woman, there’s an actual set of medical records after she went to a rape crisis center the day of the alleged encounter plus apologetic, begging for forgiveness texts from Russell Brand.”
“Could you please for a second stay open-minded to the possibility that the women are telling the truth?” implored Kelly.
“We don’t need to so overcorrect from the #MeToo movement that every woman gets completely disregarded and called a liar when she finds the guts to come forward and make an allegation,” continued the host in her increasingly fiery take. “They may be telling the truth! It’s worth investigating. We don’t need to knee-jerk condemn him. And we don’t need to knee-jerk condemn them.”
As previously reported, after Brand attempted to get ahead of the allegations by denying them outright before the coordinated story from The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 could drop, prominent voices like billionaire Elon Musk and commentator Tucker Carlson had spoken to the possibility of the claims being a hit on the actor for his outspoken takes against the establishment.
“Criticize the drug companies, question the war in Ukraine, and you can be pretty sure this is going to happen,” Carlson had said, prompting Musk to reply, “Sure seems that way!”
The tech entrepreneur had also stated, “I support Russel Brand. That man is not evil.”
‘I support Russell Brand’: Elon Musk goes on record, insists actor ‘is not evil’ https://t.co/dLonN0ECyc via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) September 17, 2023
“I’m just pissed because of what I’ve seen is like a a rash of guys coming out to be like, ‘It’s bullsh*t. You don’t know whether it’s bullsh*t or not!” Kelly slammed. “Did you read the report of this woman? Did you read the…alleged rape details? Did you read the text message that she has from Russell Brand begging for forgiveness? There’s at least enough for us to want more facts. That’s it.”
The overall message of “innocent until proven guilty” for both parties was shared by many sick of the court of public opinion attempting to pick winners and losers, a point Musk has also made in calling for an end to cancel culture.
No more canceling. Enough is enough.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 17, 2023
Public opinion can be brutal. I agree that you are innocent until proven guilty and I think people should hold off on the criticism until such a time. Nobody should be going after the victim or the accused.
— jadedOne1 (@Jadedimage) September 19, 2023
I mean.. innocent until proven guilty used to be a thing,,
— Patches (@LosPatches) September 18, 2023
Exactly.
— Heath (@00_heath_00) September 19, 2023
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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