Disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein stunned observers this week, flashing a toothless smile at his sex crimes retrial in Manhattan. But Weinstein wasn’t smiling from joy—he claims it was a protest against “appalling dental care” behind bars at New York’s notorious Rikers Island.
“I’m not doing well,” Weinstein, 72, said in an exclusive phone interview from jail. “Rikers Island is a horrible place. No one should be here. They’ve pulled my teeth instead of treating them properly.”
Yet even in these dire circumstances, Weinstein found a peculiar reason for optimism: controversial conservative commentator Candace Owens.
Owens, recently named “Antisemite of the Year” by watchdog group StopAntisemitism, has publicly questioned Weinstein’s convictions, claiming on her podcast that his trials are examples of “political weaponization of the courts.”
“Our views couldn’t be more different, but she’s tough and tenacious,” Weinstein said. “Candace is going to be a superstar. Believe me, I’ve seen stars.”
The unexpected alliance began in early 2022, when Owens reached out to Weinstein directly, offering to advocate for his innocence—a move Weinstein admits surprised him.
“I initially tried to talk her out of it,” Weinstein explained. “I’m a huge supporter of the Anti-Defamation League; clearly, Candace isn’t on their favorite list.”
The ADL has condemned Owens repeatedly, describing her rhetoric as “dangerous” and “viciously antisemitic.” Owens previously parted ways with Ben Shapiro’s conservative media platform, “The Daily Wire.”
Ironically, Weinstein, who once accepted a Humanitarian Award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center in 2015, urging attendees to “stand up against antisemitism,” now finds himself aligned publicly with Owens.
“Candace is doing genuine investigative reporting,” Weinstein insisted. “It’s not just opinion; she’s looking at the facts.”
Meanwhile, Weinstein prepares for his retrial beginning April 15, represented by prominent attorneys Arthur Aidala, Jennifer Bonjean, and Michael Cibella. Legal analysts speculate Weinstein himself might testify—potentially creating explosive courtroom drama.
Attorney Gloria Allred, who represented several of Weinstein’s accusers, previously stated, “The only thing truly explosive would be Weinstein testifying under oath and facing cross-examination.”
Despite the charges and public backlash, Weinstein remains surprisingly reflective behind bars, claiming he’s reread classic American novels such as “The Catcher in the Rye” and Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms.”
“Believe it or not, I still have a couple movies left in me,” Weinstein remarked, “but if Hollywood won’t have me, I’ll focus on being a father.”
In a surreal nod to his former life, Weinstein admitted watching this year’s Oscars, expressing happiness for ex-wife Georgina Chapman and her partner, Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody. He also praised friends involved with the night’s acclaimed film, “Anora.”
Weinstein, already convicted of rape charges in California, is aggressively appealing his case there as well.
His jailhouse advocacy for Owens, however, continues raising eyebrows, particularly among former allies who see his alignment with the controversial figure as a desperate, controversial gamble.
“I’ve always believed in our justice system,” Owens has said on her podcast, adding, “But now, I’m starting to question if it’s become too politicized.”
The retrial, set to capture national attention, promises to reveal more twists in Weinstein’s ongoing—and deeply controversial—story.
Discover more from Next Gen News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.