YouTube has announced it has suspended podcast host Russell Brand’s monetization status amid allegations he raped and sexually assaulted women.
According to NBC News, the big tech video streaming platform made the announcement Tuesday, claiming Brand was in violation of the “creator responsibility policy.”
They noted, “If a creator’s off-platform behavior harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community.”
Brand began to question the authenticity of mainstream media narratives during the 2020 pandemic and built an audience of over 6.6 million viewers on YouTube alone.
He also has 1.6 million viewers on the popular alternative video streaming platform, Rumble.
On Friday, Brand released a video to X, formerly Twitter, addressing the situation. He stated, “I’ve received two extremely disturbing letters, or a letter and an email, one from a mainstream media TV company; one from a newspaper listing a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks.”
This is happening pic.twitter.com/N8zIKLbJN2
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) September 15, 2023
He noted these are “very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.”
Brand then explained these allegations come from consensual relationships during a promiscuous period in his life.
He also pointed out that “coordinated media attacks” have been used to intimidate other personalities like Joe Rogan.
“I’m aware that you guys have been saying in the comments for a while, ‘Watch out Russell, they’re coming for you, you’re getting too close to the truth,’” he said.
Brand also addressed media claims he is a “conspiracy theorist.” He then noted the news media has been attempting to contact his friends and family for information for some time and they seem to have an ulterior motive than just reporting facts.
This caused users on X to voice their concerns regarding the situation.
Podcast hosts, the Hodgetwins, stated, “What they are doing to Russell Brand is what they will eventually do to all of us.”
What they are doing to Russell Brand is what they will eventually do to all of us.
— Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) September 19, 2023
They go after the loudest voices first.
Turning Point USA founder and CEO Charlie Kirk wrote, “Not only has Russell Brand been convicted of no crime, he hasn’t even been charged with a crime.”
Not only has Russell Brand been convicted of no crime, he hasn't even been charged with a crime. Yet YouTube just unilaterally demonetized his channel with more than 6 million subscribers, and multiple press outlets are colluding in a takedown operation.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 19, 2023
Russell Brand isn't…
“Yet YouTube just unilaterally demonetized his channel with more than 6 million subscribers, and multiple press outlets are colluding in a takedown operation,” he added.
Kirk then concluded, “Russell Brand isn’t being “held accountable,” he’s being taken out for speaking out against the corrupt media and the bio-medical-pharmaceutical state.”
This is in reference to just before the allegations were made, Brand released a video calling out Big Pharma.
This is our medical special! Why is life expectancy in decline? Is our food system rigged to keep us sick? Does big Pharma put profits over your health?! pic.twitter.com/LuJzcjI9eu
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) September 15, 2023
Timcast member, The Red Headed Libertarian, stated, “All Russell Brand’s accusers went through the media, not the courts.”
All Russell Brand’s accusers went through the media, not the courts. They made a documentary, they didn’t file a police report. Convince me they want Justice, and not money.
— The Redheaded libertarian (@TRHLofficial) September 19, 2023
“They made a documentary, they didn’t file a police report. Convince me they want Justice, and not money,” she added.