Russell Brand's "she initiated that contact" joke at MAHA summit draws criticism
Comedian Russell Brand, due to stand trial in London on rape and sexual assault charges, joked at a MAHA summit that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins "initiated" a backstage hug. Outlets differ on the crowd's reaction and on how much they dwell on the allegations.
Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Hindustan Times, Raw Story.
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The story, neutrally told
At a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) summit in Washington on Tuesday, Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said Russell Brand had been backstage hugging Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. NewsweekN “told the audience the comedian was delayed because he had been backstage hugging Rollins” Read at Newsweek ↗ New York PostR “noted that the comedian had been hugging Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins backstage” Read at New York Post ↗ Brand, who was moderating a CMS reform panel, replied that Rollins had initiated the contact. New York PostR ““She initiated that contact; I should make clear,” Brand said to laughs.” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC ““She initiated that contact, I shall make clear, doctor,” Brand quipped” Read at The Independent ↗ Newsweek, the New York Post and Hindustan Times say the remark drew laughter, while The Independent says Oz laughed but the crowd only chuckled. NewsweekN “prompting laughter from Dr. Oz and the crowd” Read at Newsweek ↗ The IndependentLC “Oz laughed at Brand’s comment, but the crowd did not seem that amused, only letting out a chuckle.” Read at The Independent ↗
Brand has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges in England and is due to stand trial from October 12. The IndependentLC “Brand is set to face trial for all seven charges starting on October 12, per Sky News.” Read at The Independent ↗ Hindustan TimesN “is set to appear for trial proceedings in London commencing on October 12” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Accounts of the charges vary: the New York Post cites six women from 1999 through the 2000s, The Independent lists seven charges from 1999 to 2009, and Hindustan Times lists three rape, three sexual assault and one indecent assault count. New York PostR “accusations of rape, oral rape, sexual assault, and assault from six different women spanning 1999 through the 2000s” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “Brand is set to face trial for all seven charges” Read at The Independent ↗ The joke drew online criticism from MS NOW reporter Brandy Zadrozny, writer Hemant Mehta and virologist Angela Rasmussen, as reported by Newsweek. NewsweekN “Joke about non-consensual contact right out of the gate at the MAHA Summit's 'Reform in CMS' panel”“Including alleged rapist Russell Brand and convicted rapist Mike Tyson certainly sends a message to women” Read at Newsweek ↗
Mike Tyson, convicted of rape in 1992, also took part in the summit. The IndependentLC “Mike Tyson, who was convicted of rape in 1992 and served three years in prison” Read at The Independent ↗ New York PostR “Brand has been a proponent of the MAHA movement.” Read at New York Post ↗ The Independent notes the summit was hosted by the nonprofit MAHA Center rather than a government agency. Newsweek said it had asked HHS, USDA and Brand's representatives for comment; no responses are reported. The IndependentLC “which is hosted by the nonprofit MAHA Center rather than a government agency” Read at The Independent ↗ NewsweekN “Newsweek reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) via its contact page” Read at Newsweek ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Treats the joke as a failed attempt at 'sexual assault humor' by a 'rape-accused comic', with detailed charge history.
- Emphasis
- Charge timeline, muted crowd reaction, and that the summit was run by a nonprofit.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not quote social media critics.
- Charged language
- “rape-accused comic”“attempt at sexual assault humor falls flat with crowd”
- For example
-
“attempt at sexual assault humor falls flat with crowd” — The Independent
“seemingly poking fun at the sexual assault allegations against him” — The Independent
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Newsweek reports the joke and online backlash in a breaking-news style; Hindustan Times pivots to Brand's family and marriages.
- Emphasis
- Social media reactions (Newsweek); wife, children and past marriage (Hindustan Times).
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither notes the summit's nonprofit host; Hindustan Times gives no critical reaction.
- Charged language
- “sex pest”“polarizing entertainer”
- For example
-
“the joke quickly drew attention on social media given Brand’s ongoing legal troubles” — Newsweek
“Russel Brand's family: What we know about his wife and kids” — Hindustan Times
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads with Brand as an 'accused rapist' starring at the summit, with a joke made ahead of his trial.
- Emphasis
- Allegations, Brand's past admissions and Tyson's conviction.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report the online criticism or that the summit was hosted by a nonprofit.
- Charged language
- “Accused rapist”“head-turning joke”
- For example
-
“Accused rapist Russell Brand stars in MAHA summit, cracks joke about unwanted touching to Dr. Oz” — New York Post
“Earlier this year, Brand also copped to having what he described as consensual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl.” — New York Post
What every side reports
- Brand joked that Rollins 'initiated that contact' after Oz said Brand had been hugging her backstage.
- Brand has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges and his London trial is due to start October 12.
- Mike Tyson, convicted of rape in 1992, also took part in the summit.
Where accounts differ
-
How the audience reacted
- Left
- The Independent: Oz laughed, but the crowd 'did not seem that amused, only letting out a chuckle'.
- Centre
- Newsweek reports laughter from Oz and the crowd; Hindustan Times says the audience showed amusement.
- Right
- New York Post: Brand spoke 'to laughs'.
-
Number of women and charges
- Left
- The Independent: seven charges involving six women across two sets of charges, 1999 to 2009.
- Centre
- Hindustan Times: three rape, three sexual assault and one indecent assault count, 1999 to 2009; Newsweek says 'several women'.
- Right
- New York Post: six women, 1999 through the 2000s.
-
The audience laughed at Brand's remark that Rollins initiated the backstage hug.
Reported- Disputes 1
- The Independent
- Reports 3
- Hindustan Times, Newsweek, New York Post
-
Brand faces UK rape and sexual assault charges, denies them and pleaded not guilty; trial set for October.
Reported- Supports 1
- New York Post
- Reports 3
- The Independent, Hindustan Times, Newsweek
Russell Brand person
Brand pleaded not guilty and has denied wrongdoing; his remark was a joke on stage.
“Brand has vehemently denied the accusations and pleaded not guilty” — New York Post
Brooke Rollins person
No comment from Rollins is reported; Newsweek said it asked USDA for comment.
“the USDA and Brand's representatives via email on Tuesday afternoon for comment” — Newsweek
Left2 articles
-
Critical Says the joke fell flat and gives detailed charge background.
-
Centre2 articles
-
Russell Brand Jokes About Touching Trump Cabinet Member at MAHA Event
Neutral Breaking report of the joke followed by critics' posts and context on MAHA.
-
Neutral Brief account of the joke, then largely a profile of Brand's wife, children and first marriage.
Right1 article
-
Accused rapist Russell Brand stars in MAHA summit, cracks joke about unwanted touching to Dr. Oz
Critical Foregrounds the rape accusation and Brand's admissions, with a 'head-turning' joke.
- 29 Sep 21:13 First NewsweekN Russell Brand Jokes About Touching Trump Cabinet Member at MAHA Event
- 29 Sep 22:25 +1h 12m New York PostR Accused rapist Russell Brand stars in MAHA summit, cracks joke about unwanted touching to Dr. Oz
- 30 Sep 01:38 +4h 26m The IndependentLC Russell Brand and Dr. Oz joke about hugging female Trump secretary as rape-accused comic joins MAHA panel
- 30 Sep 12:16 +15h 3m Hindustan TimesN Russel Brand wife, kids, sexual assault case in focus as comedian jokes about touching female Trump Secretary
- 30 Sep 16:52 +19h 39m Raw StoryL Pro-Trump actor facing rape charges appalls with joke about consent at MAHA summit
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.