The Brett Cooper Show: Episode 54 – "Free Britney Was A Huge Mistake"
Release Date: August 4, 2025

The Brett Cooper Show delves into the intricate connections between high-profile societal movements and broader systemic issues. In Episode 54, titled "Free Britney Was A Huge Mistake," host Brett Cooper presents a provocative analysis linking the aftermath of the Free Britney movement to current policies addressing homelessness and mental health crises in the United States.

Introduction: Drawing Parallels Between Britney Spears and National Policies

Brett Cooper opens the episode by making an unexpected comparison between Britney Spears' conservatorship saga and President Trump's executive order on homelessness and mental health.

Brett Cooper [00:00]: "Britney Spears and Trump's latest executive order have a lot in common and we need to talk about it."

Analyzing Trump's Executive Order: "Ending Crime and Disorder on America Streets"

Brett provides a detailed breakdown of the executive order signed by Trump on July 24th, which focuses on addressing homelessness by prioritizing mental health and addiction interventions.

Brett Cooper [00:30]: "It promotes the commitment of homeless people with severe mental health and addiction problems into mental institutions and facilities... opposes federal funding for safe drug consumption and housing first initiatives that do not address the root problem of homelessness."

He praises the order as a "logical step forward," contrasting it with media backlash and drawing parallels to the Free Britney movement.

Brett Cooper [01:00]: "If they had been paying attention to Britney Spears and the Free Britney movement... they would know that some kind of executive order like this was coming."

Critique of the Free Britney Movement

Brett argues that the Free Britney movement was misguided, suggesting that granting Britney freedom did not lead to the anticipated positive outcomes.

Brett Cooper [04:00]: "The Free Britney movement was a mistake. I regret ever supporting it."

He highlights Britney's ongoing struggles post-conservatorship, citing instances from her social media posts and wellness checks as evidence of her continued mental health challenges.

Brett Cooper [07:00]: "These are not normal incidents. These are not normal happenings. And then unfortunately, like, for people like me, that might ring a bell."

Personal Insights: Navigating Mental Health and Guardianships

Brett shares his personal experience with his brother, who battles severe mental illness and is under guardianship. He emphasizes the complexities and necessities of such legal arrangements.

Brett Cooper [09:00]: "Guardianships and conservatorships... are not inherently evil or abusive. They are actually very, very difficult to obtain."

He recounts critical moments, including a near-tragic car incident involving his brother, to illustrate the importance of such support systems.

Brett Cooper [11:00]: "We could have just died. I said, I felt so alive. That is not normal."

Homelessness Linked to Mental Illness: Statistical Insights

Brett presents alarming statistics to underscore that a significant majority of the homeless population suffers from mental health disorders.

Brett Cooper [12:30]: "Two-thirds of unhoused people have mental health disorders... the mean prevalence of any current mental disorder within the homeless community was estimated at 76%."

He challenges the traditional narrative that homelessness is solely due to economic hardships, asserting that mental illness is a central factor.

Reporting from the Streets: Kevin Dahlgren's Perspective

Introducing journalist Kevin Dahlgren, Brett showcases real-world examples of mental illness manifesting on the streets, further supporting his argument.

Kevin Dahlgren [14:43]: "Behind me is a Woman sleeping on a sidewalk... she was given this permanent housing about a year ago, but she comes out here every single day to sleep on the sidewalk because that's all she knows."

Brett leverages Kevin's reports to demonstrate the inadequacies of current homelessness solutions and the persistent struggles faced by individuals with severe mental illnesses.

Brett Cooper [15:52]: "This is the homelessness industrial complex... there is literally no oversight or tracking tools to show us exactly what the hell is going on."

Critique of Current Solutions and Nonprofit Efforts

Brett argues that existing nonprofit initiatives and housing-first models fail to address the root causes of homelessness, primarily mental health and addiction issues.

Brett Cooper [20:00]: "We don't have a homelessness crisis. We have an addiction and mental health crisis."

He criticizes the allocation of funds towards temporary shelters and non-institutional solutions, emphasizing their ineffectiveness in creating lasting change.

Challenging the ACLU's Stance on Homelessness

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its historical role in policies affecting the mentally ill and homeless populations.

Brett Cooper [25:00]: "Scout from the ACLU... their entire system has failed, and yet you are still doubling down and you are trying to blame everybody except yourselves."

He references historical events from the 1960s and 1990s to illustrate how civil liberties battles have inadvertently contributed to the current homelessness crisis.

Brett Cooper [28:30]: "Following a successful lobbying and litigation by civil libertarians... mentally ill patients were released onto America's streets in large numbers."

Conclusion: Advocating for Institutional Responses

Brett concludes by reinforcing his stance that institutional solutions, despite their controversies, are necessary to effectively address the intertwined issues of homelessness and mental health.

Brett Cooper [35:00]: "We need a solution to the problem at large... I am in favor of reopening American institutions."

He reiterates his support for Trump's executive order as a pivotal step towards mitigating the crisis.

Brett Cooper [40:00]: "This is the right way forward."

Key Takeaways

• Linking High-Profile Cases to Policy: Brett effectively connects the Free Britney movement to broader societal issues, using Britney's case as a microcosm of the challenges faced by individuals with severe mental illnesses.

• Emphasis on Mental Health: The episode underscores the critical role mental health plays in homelessness, challenging prevailing narratives that focus solely on economic factors.

• Critique of Non-Institutional Solutions: Brett criticizes current approaches, including nonprofit initiatives and the housing-first model, for their inability to address the root causes of homelessness related to mental health and addiction.

• Historical Context: By referencing past policies and legal battles led by organizations like the ACLU, Brett highlights systemic failures that have perpetuated the homelessness crisis.

• Advocacy for Institutional Measures: The episode advocates for a return to institutional solutions, arguing that such measures are necessary for public safety and the well-being of individuals with severe mental illnesses.

Notable Quotes

1. Brett Cooper [00:00]:
   "Britney Spears and Trump's latest executive order have a lot in common and we need to talk about it."

2. Brett Cooper [01:00]:
   "If they had been paying attention to Britney Spears and the Free Britney movement... they would know that some kind of executive order like this was coming."

3. Brett Cooper [04:00]:
   "The Free Britney movement was a mistake. I regret ever supporting it."

4. Kevin Dahlgren [14:43]:
   "Behind me is a Woman sleeping on a sidewalk... she was given this permanent housing about a year ago, but she comes out here every single day to sleep on the sidewalk because that's all she knows."

5. Brett Cooper [25:00]:
   "Scout from the ACLU... their entire system has failed, and yet you are still doubling down and you are trying to blame everybody except yourselves."

This episode of The Brett Cooper Show presents a controversial yet compelling perspective on the intersection of celebrity movements, mental health, and public policy. Brett Cooper challenges listeners to reconsider commonly held beliefs about homelessness and mental health, advocating for institutional reforms as a pathway to meaningful change.