Russell Simmons has gone on the defensive after critics called out actor Taraji P. Henson for spending time with the embattled hip-hop impresario and entrepreneur at his Bali resort. Simmons, 66, told them to “knock it off” in the wake of backlash that was sparked when Simmons posted a photo of himself with “The Color Purple” star in Indonesia.
Many voiced their grievances with Henson for hobnobbing with someone who has been accused of sexual assault. The Def Jam Recordings co-founder has been hit with allegations of sexual misconduct , rape and defamation for years and is the defendant in sexual assault and defamation lawsuits filed in February. But he sidestepped those details in his video response posted Tuesday on Instagram Live and called out Black people who “demonize” him but support former President Trump.
He also enumerated his contributions to the Black community and rejected the idea that he is “hiding” to evade legal consequences. “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 said. Simmons said he has worked for Black Lives Matter and “every movement that helped our people,” including organizations that helped women and LGBTQ+ people.
“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 .