Elon Musk's resurfaced tweet revealing his thoughts on Russell Brand goes viral after comedian found guilty of rape

Since British former comedian Russell Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, an old tweet from tech mogul Elon Musk has resurfaced, sparking people to question the pair's relationship.

The former Hollywood star is not set to be sentenced until Monday, but was told by a judge that he should expect a lengthy prison sentence.

Despite pleading not guilty to all charges, which span a 10-year period from 1999, Brand was found guilty on four counts.

They included raping a woman at his house in London and sexually assaulting three different women at their workplaces at a radio station and a TV studio.

Brand's loyal wife Laura was by his side throughout the trial. Credit: Neil Mockford/Getty Images

Elon Musk claimed he supported Brand when the allegations first came to light

SpaceX founder Musk has once again come under scrutiny, this time for supporting Brand on social media.

In 2023, shortly after the allegations against the comedian were exposed through a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches, Musk penned: "I support Russell Brand. That man is not evil."

Given yesterday's guilty verdict, the statement has certainly not aged well, and has reignited criticism of the Tesla founder.

Brand, 51, has been portrayed as a calculated manipulator and sexual predator during his trial, and has been given a custodial order until he is sentenced.

The judge also told him he should expect a lengthy prison sentence.

Speaking on the last day of the trial, Justice Bennathan said: "You’ve been convicted of a number of offences, including one of rape.

"The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term.

"My current view is that I have to therefore remand you in custody.”

The defense asked for Brand to be granted an "act of humanity" by being allowed to return home this weekend to say goodbye to his children, but the judge refused and ordered him to be incarcerated immediately.

"Whatever the good intentions of the family and the defendant today, I think there are substantial grounds to fear he might in the end not feel able to come along and face his sentence.”

Katy Perry and Russell Brand were married for 14 months before they separated. Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

President Trump has also publicly aired his thoughts on Brand

However, Musk is not the only powerful man to have had their thoughts on Brand go viral this week, as a tweet from US President Donald Trump also resurfaced; although in a rare move, he seems to be on the right side of history.

In 2014, two years after Brand finalized his divorce from Katy Perry, Trump took to X to ask: “What the hell do people see in Russell?”

The president then went on to call him a "major loser".

Brand responded: "@realDonaldTrump are you drunk when you write these tweets?

"Or does that foam you spray on your bald head make you high?”

Then, the tweet that went famous: "@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!”

Featured image credit: Neil Mockford / Getty