Russell Brand begins his AmFest 2025 speech with a prayer on his knees calling Erika Kirk an "example of forgiveness"

Comedian Russell Brand was recently invited to give a speech at Turning Point USA's America Fest 2025, and he began his speech with a prayer, where he called Erika Kirk an "example of forgiveness." For the unversed, American Fest 2025 is an annual event held by Turning Point USA, a non-profit founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in September 2025.

Erika Kirk, his wife, stepped in as the organization's CEO following Kirk's death, and kicked off this year's America Fest in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 18, 2025. The first of the four-day event welcomed political commentators like Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson, and Russell Brand on stage.

Russell Brand began his speech by getting down on his knees to offer a prayer, thanking the Lord for the "opportunity to be here in unity." He also mentioned Erika Kirk's "boldness in her bravery" and "her example of forgiveness," saying:

"I thank you Lord that we have the opportunity to be here in unity. The opportunity for true unity, the opportunity for community, the opportunity to be different, Lord. I thank you, Heavenly Father, for Erika Kirk's boldness in her bravery, and for her example of forgiveness, and surely if she can forgive the people of the man responsible, Lord, for the murder of her husband, surely this principle of forgiveness is something that we can all extend. Lord, may we know your grace."

Russell Brand's speech is a reference to Erika Kirk forgiving the man accused of shooting her husband. During her husband's memorial service at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona in September 2025, Erika Kirk said she forgave 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the man alleged to be Charlie Kirk's assassin, because "it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do."

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Russell Brand commented on ex-wife Katy Perry's new relationship with Justin Trudeau

Russell Brand publicly commented on his ex-wife Katy Perry's new relationship with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his speech at America Fest 2025. The British comedian married Perry in 2010 and filed for divorce in December 2011.

Brand that he still loved Perry during his speech at America Fest 2025 and continued that he had approved of the pop star's relationship with Orlando Bloom, her former fiancé. However, he did not want to be in the same category as her current partner, Justin Trudeau, calling the former prime minister a "globalist stooge."

“Look, Katy Perry, I was married to her. I love her still, and I’m glad that her mom’s in the room to hear me say this – but look. I was okay with Orlando Bloom, but Justin Trudeau? Come on, man! Don’t put me in a category with that guy. That globalist stooge," he said.

According to People Magazine, Perry and Trudeau first sparked dating rumors in July 2025. They made their public debut as a couple during a cabaret show at Crazy Horse Paris for Perry's birthday in October 2025.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards (Image via Getty)

Meanwhile, Perry and Orlando Bloom first met at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2016 and got engaged in 2019. Perry and Bloom welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove, in 2020. However, they called off their engagement in June 2025.

Katy Perry has previously spoken about her marriage to Russell Brand during an interview with Vogue in 2013, claiming that she hadn't heard from the comedian since he texted her that he wanted to divorce her in December 2011.

“He’s a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him. Let’s just say I haven’t heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011," Perry said.

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Turning Point USA's America Fest will continue at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 19, 2025.

Edited by Juhi Marzia