Undercurrents Josephine Bartosch: Why is the Christian right defending Russell Brand?
Apr 9, 2025
Josephine Bartosch, a writer at UnHerd, dives into the surprising defense of Russell Brand by some factions of the Christian right amid serious sexual abuse allegations against him. She examines how political affiliations shape public perception and complicate the discourse around accountability. The conversation touches on the dangers of viewing such accusations through a conspiratorial lens while discussing the polarized reactions on social media and the implications for the Me Too movement and free speech.
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Conflicting Defenses
- Brand claims innocence, while some argue the allegations are too old to matter.
- These are distinct arguments; denying charges differs from claiming they're irrelevant due to age.
Brand's Victim Narrative
- Brand portrays himself as a victim of the BBC's culture in the early 2000s.
- This narrative allows the right to blame a "corrupt organization" rather than acknowledging widespread sexual violence.
Trumpian Lens
- Many conservatives view accusations through a lens of Trumpian conspiracies.
- This reflexive conspiracism hinders objective evaluation of allegations, especially against figures like Brand.