Russell Simmons has hit back at people criticizing him over his alleged history of rape and sexual assault, as well as famous friends such as Usher and Taraji P. Henson for visiting him in Bali where he currently lives.
Speaking on Instagram Live, the Def Jam co-founder specifically addressed Black people over what he sees as unwarranted backlash aimed at both himself and his celebrity pals.
“Black people, did you forget that I got 10,000 Black men out of jail? And that I changed the factory farming industry forever? And that I registered more of you to vote than probably anybody you know?” he asked, touting his involvement in social justice initiatives.
“And I worked for Black Lives Matter and every movement that’s helped our people — all the women’s rights and even gay rights movements that I did so much work for.”
Simmons then attacked those who have been critical of various stars continuing to associate with him despite the allegations: “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. Knock it off.”
The 66-year-old also denied that he was hiding in Bali to avoid prosecution: “I’ll be in New York next week. This idea that I’m hiding is stupid. I call the paparazzi on myself everytime I’m there […] Are you under some kind of tricknology? Are you lost? I’m your friend, Black people.”
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Simmons went on to double down on his denial regarding the rape allegations: “Still to date, I have never spoken to a policeman about anything. I have never spoken to a judge, civil or criminal, about anything. From what I can tell, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and President Trump all have more credible claims against them than I do, if you ask Oprah.
“Again, I’ve never been charged with anything. Who took nine lie detector tests, seven of which were from the chairman of the Polygraph Association? Did Bill Clinton do that? Did Joe Biden do that? Did President Trump do that? Knock it off.”
Earlier this year, Russell Simmons was accused of sexual assault yet again.
In February, a woman who served as an executive at Def Jam during the 1990s sued the mogul for sexual harassment and rape. Filed under Jane Doe in New York federal court, the lawsuit alleges false imprisonment, battery, emotional distress and a violation of the state’s gender-motivated violence law.
The plaintiff claims that Simmons invited her to his apartment for work, though soon after he started wrestling with her “in an attempt to appear playful” and then pinned her down on a bed aggressively.
“Ms. Doe repeatedly told Mr. Simmons to get off of her, but he refused,” court documents state. “Mr. Simmons proceeded to rape her.”
Simmons has always denied any sexual assault allegations.
