US President Donald Trump's past comments about Katy Perry's marriage to Russell Brand have resurfaced after the British comedian was found guilty of rape and sexual assault following a trial at Southwark Crown Court. In a post published in December 2011, Trump said the American singer had made a 'big mistake' by marrying Brand, predicting that she might eventually regret the decision.
'I like Russell Brand, but Katy Perry made a big mistake when she married him. Let's see if I'm right—I hope not,' Trump wrote on Twitter, now known as X.
The post was published five years before Trump became US president and shortly before Brand filed for divorce from Perry. The couple had married in October 2010 during a traditional Hindu ceremony in India. Their divorce was finalised in July 2012, ending their marriage after less than two years.
Trump's Past Remarks on Perry and Brand
Trump returned to the subject of Perry and Brand's relationship in October 2014, when he publicly criticised the comedian on social media. The former television personality first questioned what people saw in Brand after watching him appear on television, describing him as a 'major loser'.
He then directed a post at Perry, suggesting that she must have been drunk when she married the British comedian. '@katyperry must have been drunk when she married Russell Brand—but he did send me a really nice letter of apology!' Trump wrote.
.@katyperry Katy, what the hell were you thinking when you married loser Russell Brand. There is a guy who has got nothing going, a waste!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2014
Brand responded to the comments, turning the exchange into a public social media dispute. 'Donald Trump are you drunk when you write these tweets? Or does that foam you spray on your bald head make you high?' the comedian replied.
Trump continued criticising Brand the following day, directly addressing Perry in another post. 'Katy, what the hell were you thinking when you married loser Russell Brand. There is a guy who has got nothing going, a waste!' he wrote. He also described Brand as a 'total joke' and a 'dummy who is lost' in a separate criticism.
Russell Brand Convicted of Rape and Sexual Assault
The resurfaced comments come after Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. On Thursday, 5 November, a jury found the 51-year-old guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women.
He was acquitted of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. The charges related to alleged incidents between 2004 and 2009, when Brand was building his career as a comedian, television presenter and actor.
Brand denied the allegations against him and maintained that his sexual encounters had been consensual. Following the verdict, Judge Mr Justice Bennathan ordered Brand to remain in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing on Monday. The judge indicated that he was facing a significant custodial sentence.
The Metropolitan Police have also confirmed that Brand remains under investigation in connection with two further alleged rapes. Those investigations are separate from the charges the jury decided.
Katy Perry Was Not Part of the Prosecution Case
Perry, who was married to Brand from 2010 to 2012, was not involved in the prosecution case against her former husband. However, their short-lived marriage was mentioned during the trial when Brand gave evidence.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Perry was not asked to provide a witness statement as part of the investigation into the comedian. The singer has maintained a separate public career since their divorce, releasing music and undertaking international tours.
