GARETH SHERIDAN, THE millionaire who unsuccessfully launched a bid to get on this year’s Irish presidential ballot, has said photos he posted with Russell Brand and Candace Owens last week were taken at a Christmas party hosted by Tucker Carlson, which was “not a political event”. 

Sheridan secured the backing of Kerry and Tipperary County Councils in the presidential election, but ultimately failed to receive the support of the four required local authorities to get on the ballot. 

Last week, Sheridan prompted criticism online after he posted a series of photos to his Instagram stories of him posing alongside various celebrities, including Russell Brand, controversial ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and conspiracy theorist and conservative campaigner Candace Owens.

He later shared the photos on his TikTok account with the caption “Kicking off Christmas season in Nashville” with the song ‘Trendsetter’ by Conor Price playing over the pictures. He did not include the photos with Brand in the post to TikTok.

Sheridan and Tucker Carlson

Former comedian Russell Brand is currently facing a series of criminal charges, including rape and sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The allegations of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour by Brand came to light following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in 2023. 

Brand was among the guests who participated in Tucker Carlson’s cross-country speaking tour in late 2024.

Sheridan and Brand.

The pictures posted by Sheridan were taken at a Christmas party in Nashville, Tennessee, hosted by Alp, a nicotine pouch brand launched by Carlson.

In a statement to The Journal, Sheridan said he was raising awareness of his company, Nutriband, and its technology at the party.

Sheridan and Candace Owens.

Sheridan said he knew many of the attendees at the party are “passionate about or advocates for tackling the opioid and fentanyl crisis and the record number of deaths, overdoses and exposure we are seeing”.

“This was not a political event and as I have said all along people can be cordial and respectful and even friendly with one another even if their views on certain things do not align,” Sheridan said.

He added: “The opioid crisis, nor do victims of the opioid crisis care what side of politics you want to be on.”

He cited rapper and singer Jelly Roll as an example of one of the attendees who has “spoken passionately to the US Senate on Fentanyl abuse”. 

Other celebrities in the photos posted on Instagram by Sheridan included UFC fighter Colby Covington and podcaster Theo Von.