Comedian Russell Brand drew attention at a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) summit on Tuesday after joking about his interaction with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who was among the Trump administration officials attending the event. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz introduced Brand and told the audience the comedian was delayed because he had been backstage hugging Rollins.
"She initiated that contact, to be clear," Brand interjected, prompting laughter from Dr. Brand's appearance comes amid ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where he has been charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault in connection with allegations made by several women. He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) via its contact page and the USDA and Brand's representatives via email on Tuesday afternoon for comment. The remarks about Rollins were made before the discussion turned to health policy and wellness issues, though the joke quickly drew attention on social media given Brand's ongoing legal troubles and high-profile role at the event. Jeopardy! champion and podcaster Hemant Mehta wrote on X, "Hahaha it’s funny because Brand is a sex pest but he was invited to a Republican event anyway." MS NOW reporter Brandy Zadrozny posted on X, "Joke about non-consensual contact right out of the gate at the MAHA Summit's 'Reform in CMS' panel from moderator Russell Brand, the comedian who has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault for which he will stand trial in London next month.
MAHA!" The MAHA movement, closely associated with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has sought to bring greater attention to issues such as food quality, obesity, chronic illness and environmental factors affecting health. The summit featured administration officials, athletes, celebrities and wellness advocates who discussed strategies for improving public health, with organizers framing the gathering as part of a broader effort to shift the national conversation away from disease treatment and toward disease prevention.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, who was convicted of rape in 1992, was also scheduled to take part in a “MAHA athlete” panel Tuesday. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist, wrote on X, "Including alleged rapist Russell Brand and convicted rapist Mike Tyson certainly sends a message to women about what this administration thinks about their health." This is a breaking news article. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Sam Wilson.
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