Russell Simmons has responded to those who have criticized him for his purported history of sexual assault and rape, as well as for having visited him in Bali, where he presently resides, with well-known pals like Taraji P. Henson and Usher.
The co-founder of Def Jam particularly targeted Black people in an Instagram Live speech, voicing his concerns about what he perceives to be unjustified criticism against him and his famous friends.
Did you forget that I was able to free 10,000 Black guys from prison, Black people? And that I permanently altered the factory farming sector? And that I presumably enrolled more people to vote than anyone you know?” he questioned, highlighting his participation in social justice campaigns.
“And I contributed a great deal of work to Black Lives Matter and all the movements that have benefited our people, including the LGBT and women’s rights movements.”
“To let them demonize me in such a way that my friends cannot visit me without you attacking them, but yet you stand next to Donald Trump,” Simmons then launched an attack on individuals who have been critical of other celebrities for sticking with him in spite of the accusations. Put it away.
“I’ll be in New York next week,” the 66-year-old said, refuting reports that he was hiding in Bali to evade punishment. It’s absurd to think that I’m hiding this. Every time I go there, I call the paparazzi on me. Are you a victim of trickery of any kind? Are you disoriented? You have my friendship, Black folks.
Simmons continued, “I have never spoken to a policeman about anything,” as he further up his rejection of the rape accusations. I have never discussed anything with a judge—civil or criminal. If you ask Oprah, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and President Trump all seem to have stronger cases against them than I have.
“Once more, I’ve never faced any charges. Who completed nine lie detector tests, the chairman of the Polygraph Association administering seven of them? Was that anything Bill Clinton did? Is that what Joe Biden did? Was that something that President Trump did? Put it away.
Russell Simmons faced fresh allegations of sexual assault earlier this year.
A woman who worked as an executive at Def Jam in the 1990s filed a rape and sexual harassment lawsuit against the mogul in February. The case, filed under the Jane Doe statute in federal court in New York, claims emotional distress, false detention, abuse, and a breach of the state’s prohibition against gender-motivated violence.
Simmons allegedly invited the plaintiff to his apartment for work, but shortly after, he began wrestling with her “in an attempt to appear playful” before violently pinning her to a bed.
According to court records, “Ms. Doe told Mr. Simmons to get off of her repeatedly, but he refused.” “Mr. Simmons then started raping her.”
Simmons has consistently refuted claims of any sexual assault.
