# Crockett's Chris Brown problem

> A congresswoman who champions abuse survivors just handed Chris Brown a congressional honor onstage.
- Title: Crockett's Chris Brown problem · Mother Jones | Shortify
- Summary: A congresswoman who champions abuse survivors just handed Chris Brown a congressional honor onstage. Principles that only show up when they win you applause…
- Keywords: politics, accountability, chris brown, celebrity, abuse, Crockett's, Chris, Brown, problem, Mother Jones
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/media/2026/09/chris-brown-jasmine-crockett-epstein-abuse-congressional-honor
- Author: Arianna Coghill
- Published: 2026-09-14T18:22:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: politics, accountability, chris brown, celebrity, abuse
## Praising Epstein survivors
In May 2026, Rep. Jasmine Crockett told three Epstein survivors at a congressional hearing that their courage was contagious, and that they refused to back down.

> Your courage is contagious.
## Four months later, a stage
At Texas AT&T Stadium, Crockett joined Chris Brown onstage during his tour with Usher and awarded him recognition in the congressional record.

> We're experiencing Black joy to the highest degree.
## The record he carries
Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna in 2009, striking, biting, and choking her. His legal history since is long enough to have its own Wikipedia page.
## A pattern, not an incident
Karrueche Tran won a restraining order in 2017. A 2018 sexual assault suit settled in 2020. A 2024 documentary brought more accusers forward, including a rape allegation.
## The industry keeps clapping
Keke Palmer attended his 2025 Breezy Bowl after interviewing Tran about the alleged assault. Lizzo, Ciara, and Kelly Rowland have all given him public praise.
## Convenient outrage
Crockett built a career calling out Republican misogyny and Trump's misconduct. Denouncing an abuser is easy when the clip goes viral and costs you nothing.

> Apparently, it's easier to denounce abusers when it's politically advantageous.
## Key takeaway

Principles that only show up when they win you applause were never principles.