Russell Brand revealed the delusion Trump officials could not see
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Brand’s public embrace
Brand appeared alongside Mehmet Oz at a September MAHA Action conference, shortly before his conviction. During Oz’s introduction, the two joked about Brand’s interaction with the agriculture secretary, and both laughed.
Baxter argues the exchange should have raised concerns even before Brand’s case reached court. She says Trump health officials, including Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., embraced him over the preceding two years despite his public history of demeaning comments about women.
A persona built on candor
Brand’s early stand-up routines included boasts about sexual behavior and remarks encouraging young women to wait for him after performances. Baxter also recalls his on-air prank involving Andrew Sachs, a live interview with Vanessa Feltz, and a comedy routine about Katy Perry after their divorce.
The article describes Brand as having moved from progressive audiences and Hollywood into online health and science commentary associated with the far right. It also notes that he advised people not to vote in 2013, was baptized in the River Times in 2024, and was on trial in 2026.
Politics and the midterms
Baxter connects Brand’s image of saying openly what others hide with a political narrative that asked voters to distrust institutions and accept leaders who claimed to be unusually candid. She argues that approach has limits, particularly when people face everyday financial pressures such as the cost of fuel.
The article cites Stephen Miller’s comments about undocumented immigrants driving Mercedes-Benz cars shortly before the midterms, arguing voters were more concerned about affording gas. It also says MAGA underestimated women, who make up 51 percent of the population and are more likely than men to be registered voters in US elections.
Women and political backlash
Baxter criticizes Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign ad against Amy Acton, which questioned her account of childhood rape, and notes JD Vance defended the ad as part of tough politics. She also describes Pete Hegseth’s remarks about women in the military and the dismissal of female military leaders, including retired Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore.
Lacore later won election in South Carolina, flipping a Republican seat the article says had not been considered competitive. Baxter concludes that Brand’s conviction and the midterm results reflect voters’ rejection of being talked down to or asked to accept someone else’s version of reality.
Key points
- Brand appeared with Mehmet Oz at a MAHA Action conference weeks before his conviction.
- Baxter argues MAGA’s treatment of women contributed to its midterm losses.
- Retired Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore won a South Carolina election, flipping a Republican seat.