Not specifically an American thing, but definitely a part of the US’s culture war and political culture shifting, but Russell Brand and his shifting brand.
It seems that it’s probable that his shift toward more conspiracy theory reactionary geared programming in the wake of #MeToo has something to do with with his sexual assault and rape allegations that recently came out - these were from incidents that occurred between 2006 and 2013. Now it looks like he’s attempting to get out of it by accusing the mainstream media of attempting to silence him - a tactic not too unlike Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, and other right wingers with sexual assault and other criminal allegations against them.
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.