Donald Trump Jr. ‘defends’ Russell Brand after comedian’s rape conviction - ‘No one had a problem’

Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.

Donald Trump Jr. has attempted to defend disgraced comedian Russell Brand following his conviction for rape and sexual assault.

Brand, 51, was given a 10 years and six months sentence at Southwark Crown Court on Monday (9 November) after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.

Following his conviction several celebrities have spoken about his behaviour including Jonathan Ross who said he was ‘horrified’ and Vanessa Feltz who recalled a ‘disgusting’ interaction with him in an interview several years ago.

However, Donald Trump’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr. has now appeared to show his support for Brand on his show Triggered on Tuesday (10 November).

Trump Jr. claimed ‘no-one had a problem’ with Brand when he was married to Katy Perry, going on to claim that he was later singled out due to his Christian beliefs, which he adopted around 2023 before being baptized by TV adventurer Bear Grylls in 2024.

Russell Brand was convicted of one count of rape and three of sexual assault (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

"He finds God, I guess, changes his ways, sees some aspects of conservative life, and talks about them, and now he's going to spend 10 and a half years in prison for rape when no one had a problem with it in the prior 27 years," he said in the video.

He went on to claim that he was convicted 'with no forensic evidence, no DNA, no police report from the time' on 'decades old allegations'.

"So, when he was, like, married to Katy Perry, he's one of the most famous actors in the world, no one seemed to have a problem," he continued.

"No one seemed to think he was a rapist then."

He also attempted to hit out at the British justice system branding it ‘two-tier’ and claiming Brand had been given a particularly harsh sentence.

Brand and Trump Jr. had seemingly become close in the last few years after the former comedian moved to Florida.

Last Thursday (5 November), Brand was found guilty of raping a woman in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers between 2004 and 2009 following a four-week trial.

He was found not guilty on three other counts.

Donald Trump Jr. and Brand had become friends in recent years (X/@rustyrockets)

At his sentencing on Monday (9 November), presiding judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, said: “About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous. You were clever – and in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator.

“Your status protected you until 2023 when journalists published allegations.”

Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said in a statement on Thursday that the verdict was 'first and foremost a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them.'

“Despite intense media and public scrutiny, they relived deeply personal and traumatic experiences and placed their trust in us,” he said.

“Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.