Tucker Carlson Calls on Trump to ‘Rescue’ Russell Brand From ‘Political and Absurd’ UK Rape Trial

Tucker Carlson called on President Donald Trump to “rescue” comedian Russell Brand from what he called a “political and absurd” U.K. rape case, framing the celebrity as dissident voice targeted by the establishment for his criticism of Covid-era restrictions.

The plea came Friday, the same day that Brand appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, charged with five sexual offences, including rape. He was released on bail ahead of a trial which will take place later this month.

The charges stem from a joint 2023 investigation by three UK news organizations: The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches. In a video posted to X account, Brand said he welcomed the chance to prove his innocence in court.

In a statement soon after Brand was released on Friday, however, Carlson posted a plea that Brand be granted “asylum” in the U.S. and argued that the comedian had “no shot at a fair trial because Britain is no longer a free country.” Brand, a recent convert to Christianity, supported Carlson on his nationwide prayer tour in 2024.

“Russell Brand was once a famous left-wing actor, celebrated by the British establishment. Then he criticized the government for using Covid to turn the U.K. into a totalitarian state. The accolades abruptly stopped,” Carlson said.

“The entire case is transparently political and absurd, a near-identical replay of the fake rape charges authorities brought against Julian Assange 15 years ago,” he continued.

Casting doubt on the legitimacy of the case, he added: “None of the charges are backed by hard evidence. All of them supposedly took place more than 20 years ago.”

In a closing rallying cry, Carlson called on Trump to intervene: “Over the last few years, millions of foreigners have applied for asylum in the United States. Russell Brand actually deserves it. Say a prayer that the Trump administration comes to his rescue.”