"I know the demon underneath". That is what one of Russell BrandAn English actor and comedian. In 2023, he was accused of sexual assault. 's accusers said about the TV personality, who is at the centre of a storm over allegations of sexual abuse.

Historically, demons were thought to have the power to warp people's perception of reality. And there is no question that there are two perceptions in Brand's case.

For many, the picture that has emerged is of a monster who used women and ruined their lives. His accusers say he was violent, abusive and controlling. One, just sixteen at the time of their relationship, says he groomedWhen someone forms a relationship with a vulnerable person, especially a child, with the intention of later exploiting them. her.

For his supporters, however, he is a victim of a trial by the media, being punished for speaking out against its narratives.

In the latter group are some of the world's most powerful right-wing figures. Elon MuskA South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal., Tucker CarlsonAn American conservative broadcaster and TV show personality. He is best known for his former show on Fox News. , Andrew TateAn American-British media personality who has become notorious for controversial videos. He has been charged with rape and human trafficking. and Katie HopkinsAn English media personality and far-right political commentator. have all thrown their weight behind him.

They say the real reason for the allegations is to shut Brand up. Formerly a light entertainer, Brand has reinvented himself as a media critic who claims to expose the spin and bias behind news stories to his 6.6 million YouTube followers.¹

He has also leaned into classic right-wing talking points about the Covid-19 vaccine and the war in Ukraine. Recent videos refer to Covid "propaganda" and accuse Volodymyr ZelenskyZelensky won more than 73% of the vote to become Ukrainian President in April 2019. Incredibly, he once starred in a satirical drama in which his character accidentally wins the Ukrainian presidency. of "censorship".

They question why the allegations, which mostly date back 10 to 15 years, have only come out now that he has turned against the media.

Others say it is easy to see why it has not come out before. Many of his accusers work in the TV industry. They say they feared if they reported Brand he would destroy their careers. Some fellow comedians claim Brand also threatened to sue anyone who exposed him.

Moreover, women who have suffered sexual violence often do not tell the police immediately because they do not expect justice. In only 1.9% of rape cases reported to UK police is a suspect even charged.²

This is not a case of the media turning on their own for daring to ask questions, they insist. It is yet another story of a powerful man using his wealth and status to exploit and then silence women.

Some of his critics say if there is a hidden agenda here, it is the agenda of male power.

They say the media is not coming for Brand because he started asking about Covid; he started asking about Covid because he knew the accusations would some day come out.

Pivoting to right-wing conspiracism about the media and the government, they argue, has allowed him to build a devoted fan base that is already inclined to disbelieve what they read in the newspapers.

That has given him an insurance policy against cancellation. His new fans will not abandon him because they will assume the media is lying about him.

And, they suggest, other powerful men are rallying around him for the same reason. For example, they say, Tate, who is also facing accusations of sex crimes, is using this to "prove" that there is a pattern of the media coming after men who dare to speak the truth about society.

Yes: Brand may well be guilty of all these accusations, but we can still ask why they are coming out now, when he has started criticising media narratives.

No: It is easy to see why the allegations are only coming out now: anyone who spoke out before risked being sued. And one thing MeToo taught us is that it is very difficult for women to bring accusations against powerful men.

Or... The only agenda here is being pushed by men like Brand and Tate who want to avoid accountability for their actions. They are trying to discredit all women in a bid to save their own skin.