Elon Musk has shared a post on X arguing that Britain has focused on prosecuting Russell Brand rather than alleged migrant-linked rape gangs.
Brand, 51, is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court today after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during his entertainment career.
The former comedian and actor was found guilty of raping a woman in 2009 and sexually assaulting female television and radio workers between 2004 and 2009.
Mr Justice Bennathan ordered Brand to begin serving his sentence immediately after the jury returned its verdict last Thursday, sending him directly into custody.
The convictions were widely welcomed by observers, some of whom said Brand’s downfall could encourage additional victims to come forward. Police said last week that they are investigating two further rape allegations against him.
However, Tesla and SpaceX chief Musk appeared to take a different position, reposting a message that said: ‘The UK went after Russell Brand but not migrant rape gangs. Why.’
The billionaire, widely regarded as the world’s richest man, shared the post one day before Brand was due to be sentenced.
The move appeared to revive Musk’s public support for Brand. He had previously defended the comedian when allegations first emerged in 2023.
Russell Brand pictured at Southwark Crown Court on November 5, when he was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. He is due to be sentenced today
Elon Musk, pictured last month, has shared an X post claiming Britain prioritised prosecuting Brand over alleged migrant rape gangs
During a discussion about free speech and religion with right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro, Musk defended the actor, saying: ‘There needs to be, obviously, a conviction here. It can’t be guilty until proven innocent.
‘Because obviously we’re just sort of in the witch burning phase here; just being declared a witch is enough to make you a witch and be burnt.’
He said he was concerned that ‘anyone could be accused at any time of false charges’ and argued that people’s lives should not be destroyed solely because an allegation had been made.
Musk also suggested that Brand’s criticism of the ‘powers that be’ should prompt questions about the timing of the allegations.
‘Seems like an odd coincidence that it’s happening when Russell is really gaining traction, questioning a lot of the conventional wisdom,’ he said.
‘I think we’re running out of conspiracy theories that didn’t turn out to be true.’
Musk went on to acknowledge that he himself had previously been accused of promoting conspiracy theories online.
His remarks came as advertisers pulled out of Brand’s platform, Rumble, following the allegations. The comedian was also dropped by promoters and YouTube.
Musk has repeatedly condemned alleged grooming gangs in Britain. In 2025, he attacked then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over what he described as a failure to take action against them.
The technology billionaire also said the safeguarding minister ‘deserves to be in prison’ for rejecting calls for the Home Office to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.
The Tesla chief labelled Sir Keir ‘two-tier Keir’ and claimed Britain offered ‘no justice for severe, violent crimes but prison for social media posts’.
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Hi, I’m Alex Matthews, Editor of The Crime Desk.
Russell Brand has been convicted of rape and three sexual assaults, while our reporters Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull attended every day of the trial. They spoke to Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, who explained why the women featured in the documentary that first brought the allegations to public attention were not involved in the rape trial.
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Musk also accused Sir Keir of failing to bring ‘rape gangs’ to justice while serving as director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013.
Ahead of today’s sentencing hearing, a group of Brand supporters was seen outside Southwark Crown Court holding a banner.
It read: ‘Russell Brand, we stand with you. Christ was crucified for telling the truth. Russell is the truth.’
Brand’s victims previously told the court that he coerced them into sexual activity, at times within seconds of meeting them, while using his celebrity status in pursuit of a stated ambition to sleep with 5,000 women.
His wife, Laura Gallacher, supported him throughout the four-week trial. She was seen crying and holding her head in her hands as the four guilty verdicts were delivered on Thursday. Brand was acquitted of three other charges.
Brand closed his eyes in court after being convicted of raping a 21-year-old fan whom he selected from the audience after one of his Hammersmith Apollo performances in 2009.
The comedian, who was 33 at the time, forced the woman’s face into a pillow on his ‘enormous’ bed and removed his condom while raping her at his £2.3million home in Hampstead, leaving her struggling to breathe.
A security van arrives at Southwark Crown Court on November 9 ahead of Brand’s sentencing
Laura Brand, the actor’s wife, arrives at Southwark Crown Court on Monday with a female friend after standing by her husband throughout the allegations and court proceedings
The woman suffered anal bleeding and later said Brand told her to ‘clean up the mess you’ve made’ before turning on the television to watch the science-fiction series Quantum Leap.
She attempted to clean herself up before a member of staff escorted her out. A driver gave her tissues while taking her home.
Fearing she may have contracted HIV, she underwent medical tests, which returned negative results.
It was also disclosed on Thursday that Brand faces allegations of raping two further women, one of whom was a 16-year-old schoolgirl. The Crown Prosecution Service is seeking to bring additional charges.
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