Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Russell Brand claims he’s found God in Hurricane Milton – while he’s 200 miles away in Miami

‘In the middle of this crazy storm, [it is] worth thinking how the metaphor of the storm affects us all,’ Brand, who is not in the middle of the storm, told his followers

Tom Murray
New York
Thursday 10 October 2024 11:22 EDT
Comments
Russell Brand claims he's 'finding God in the storm' on the fringes of Hurricane Milton

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Russell Brand says he found God in the “middle” of Hurricane Milton – despite being hundreds of miles from the eye of the storm.

The controversial comedian and podcaster shared a video message with his followers from Miami, which is 180 miles from Sarasota County where Milton made landfall Wednesday night. Miami was not directly in the storm’s path.

“In the middle of this crazy storm, [it is] worth thinking how the metaphor of the storm affects us all,” he says in the clip.

“Like animals, I think we can feel something unusual is happening and pray for the people in Tampa, Sarasota and all those that are affected elsewhere directly by this.

“I was taught from Matthew that when the Apostles were dealing with a storm Peter first asks when he sees our Lord on the water ‘Is that you’ and you don’t get out of the boat until you know it’s Jesus, until you know it’s the Lord who’s saying ‘yes, come,’ he says yes and you can get out of the boat.

“But unlike Peter when you’re out of the boat you’ve got to keep your eyes fixed on the Lord because if you take your eyes off Jesus the storm could devour you.

“The storm I suppose is a demonstration of the almighty power that is beyond our control,” he says. “As a metaphor it helps me to understand that I must listen and watch for Christ.”

Russell Brand in Miami and said he found God during Hurricane Milton - despite the hardest hit areas being 200 miles away
Russell Brand in Miami and said he found God during Hurricane Milton - despite the hardest hit areas being 200 miles away (@rustyrockets/X)

Brand captioned his post: “From the edge of the hurricane. Finding God in the storm.”

Last year, an investigation by UK’s Channel 4 alleged Brand was a rapist and a sexual and emotional abuser after four women came forward to accuse him. He denied the allegations and has since rebranded as a born-again Christian.

The 49-year-old comedian was baptized by Bear Grylls in April, which he called an “opportunity to leave the past behind.”

Brand has strongly denied all accusations and told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a YouTube interview that the claims were “very, very hurtful.”

At least six people have died after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Sarasota County’s Siesta Key, bringing destructive tornadoes, 28ft waves, strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge across multiple areas.

The National Weather Service generated 111 tornado warnings as the storm thrashed the state’s Gulf side, breaking a 2017 record.

After landfall, Milton has weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and moved off Florida’s east coast – with residents still battling against brutal winds and storm surge.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in