Russell Brand jokes about US official at summit amid UK sexual assault trial

Comedian Russell Brand made a public appearance at a ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA) summit, where he and Dr. Mehmet Oz engaged in joking remarks regarding an encounter with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Dr. Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, told the audience that Brand had been backstage hugging Rollins, to which Brand quipped, ‘She initiated that contact, to be clear.’

This appearance occurs as Brand faces active criminal litigation in the United Kingdom. He has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault, stemming from allegations involving several women between 1999 and 2009. Brand is scheduled to appear for trial proceedings in London starting October 12.