Meta Removes Russell Brand's Profiles After Conviction

Meta has removed Russell Brand's Instagram and Facebook profiles, just days after the British comedian was convicted of rape and sexual assault and sentenced to ten and a half years in prison.

Brand was found guilty on 5 November of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others, following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. He was sentenced on Monday, 9 November. Brand pleaded not guilty and denied all charges; he was acquitted of three other counts, including two of rape.

A Meta spokesperson confirmed that Brand's Instagram account was removed for "violating rules", and his Facebook page was also suspended. According to Meta's policies, the company can restrict or remove accounts of individuals who engage in off-platform activities that may cause harm, including those convicted of sexual offences.

Despite the removals, Brand's account on X (formerly Twitter) remains active. On Wednesday, 11 November, a cryptic message appeared on the account, criticising Meta and thanking Elon Musk. The post read: "According to Meta, Russell Brand never existed. Thank God for Elon Musk. Stay with us." It is unclear who wrote the message or who currently manages the X account, as Brand is in prison.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr., the son of the US president, has defended Brand, claiming the conviction was politically motivated. Speaking on his show Triggered, Trump Jr. argued that Brand became a target after he turned to Christianity and conservative politics. He also questioned the evidence, stating there was no forensic or DNA proof, and suggested the sentence was harsher than those given to other sex offenders in the UK. However, the offences for which Brand was convicted occurred between 2004 and 2009, not 1999 as Trump Jr. suggested.

Others have also criticised the verdict: former Fox News host Megyn Kelly called it "shameful" and a political persecution, while Elon Musk described it as an unfair decision on X. Brand's legal team has not yet commented on the social media removals.