Megyn Kelly’s ‘Witch Hunt’ Claim Draws Backlash After Brand Sentence

On the November 9 episode of “The Megyn Kelly Show,” the former Fox News host questioned the sentence and accused the British justice system of applying a double standard. Brand was convicted on November 5 of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. The jury acquitted him of three other charges.

Kelly described the conduct in graphic terms and argued that details of the women’s prior sexual activity or conversations made the punishment unreasonable. She also accused Judge Joel Bennathan of political bias and claimed authorities had failed to punish other child rapists. Critics challenged her focus on events preceding the assaults, saying prior sexual activity does not remove a person’s right to refuse consent.

Social media users criticized Kelly’s remarks, with one viewer telling her, “Your take on RB is so disappointing.” Others accused her of abandoning earlier support for the MeToo movement. Kelly had previously been criticized for discussing an accuser’s sexual history and suggesting parts of her testimony supported Brand’s defense.

The controversy has also revived attention to Kelly’s own allegations against former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes. In her 2016 memoir, “Settle for More,” she said Ailes made sexually charged comments and attempted to kiss her without consent. Ailes denied the allegations and resigned after an internal investigation involving complaints from multiple women.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Brand’s convictions concerned four women and incidents between 2004 and 2009. At sentencing, the victims described lasting effects, including struggles with mental health, relationships and feeling safe. Prosecutor David Roberts said the evidence showed Brand to be “a manipulative sexual predator” and stressed that fame could not excuse sexual violence. Brand maintained his innocence throughout the trial. He was sentenced on November 9 and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.