Russell Brand, the former husband of Katy Perry, has publicly expressed his sarcastic disapproval of her new boyfriend, former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Speaking at an event hosted by Turning Point USA in Phoenix on December 18, Brand joked from the stage: “I used to be married to Katy Perry. I still have love for her, and I’m also happy that her mother is here to hear me speak. I’m fine with Orlando Bloom — but Justin Trudeau? Come on! Don’t lump me in with that guy!”

Brand’s remarks were widely interpreted as reflecting political differences. In recent years, the British comedian has voiced increasingly conservative views and skepticism toward globalization, while Trudeau is often seen internationally as a leading figure of progressive liberal politics.

Despite his lack of enthusiasm for Perry’s new partner, Brand had kind words for her parents, who were present at the event. According to Us Weekly, the 50-year-old comedian publicly expressed affection and gratitude toward his former in-laws during his speech.

Russell Brand and Katy Perry were married in 2010 and separated at the end of 2011. Two years later, Perry revealed that Brand informed her of his decision to divorce via text message while she was on tour. “He’s a very intelligent man, and I loved him when I married him,” she said. “But after he texted me on December 31, 2011 to say he wanted a divorce, I never heard from him again.”

Earlier this year, Brand revisited their failed marriage on his podcast Stay Free with Russell Brand. He said that despite Perry being a global superstar at the time, the reasons for their breakup were “very ordinary, like many other marriages.” Brand, who married his second wife in 2017, emphasized that he has always respected his ex-wife.

After divorcing Brand, Katy Perry was in a long-term relationship with actor Orlando Bloom. The pair began dating in 2016, got engaged in 2019, and welcomed their daughter Daisy the following year. In July this year, Perry and Bloom announced they had called off their engagement after nine years together.

At the end of July, Perry sparked dating rumors with Justin Trudeau after the two were photographed having dinner together at a restaurant in Montreal. In October, photos emerged of the 41-year-old singer and the 53-year-old politician kissing on a yacht off the coast of California. On October 25, they made their first public appearance as a couple, holding hands while leaving the Crazy Horse Paris theater on Perry’s birthday. During a concert in Prague on October 30, Perry confirmed she was in a relationship.

On December 6, Katy Perry shared photos of her new boyfriend on Instagram for the first time, posting affectionate images and videos taken while Trudeau visited her in Japan during her Lifetime Tour.