Russell Brand Jokes About Touching Trump Cabinet Member at MAHA Event - Newsweek

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. Oz and the crowd.

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. The controversial comedian and actor has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault in the UK. The charges relate to incidents alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2009.

Brand, now married to author Laura Gallacher and the father of three children, is scheduled to stand trial in London on October 12.

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 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.

Critics have accused Kennedy of promoting claims about vaccines and public health that conflict with the scientific consensus, while some medical experts have expressed concern that rhetoric associated with the movement could undermine confidence in established health institutions and immunization programs.

Before Tuesday's summit, Brand, 50, had emerged as one of the most recognizable celebrity voices aligned with Kennedy and the MAHA movement. He interviewed Kennedy during his 2024 presidential campaign, later publicly endorsed his White House bid and has frequently used his online platforms to amplify themes championed by MAHA, including concerns about food systems, chronic disease and distrust of established institutions.

Brand, the ex-husband of pop star Katy Perry, has relocated from the United Kingdom to Florida, citing, in a Rumble video, alleged hostility from British institutions towards him since the backlash from the media coverage of the rape and sexual assault allegations.

He has remained active as an internet personality, frequently discussing culture, wellness, and politics aimed at American audiences. Brand spoke at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brand posted on social media in April 2025, "I've always told you guys that when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family ... I was a fool, man, I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile. But what I never was, was a rapist. I've never engaged in nonconsensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes."

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. Dr. Oz slaps his knee. MAHA!"

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.

Dr. 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."

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Sam Wilson.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.