Michael Jackson was a talented entertainer who captivated millions of fans worldwide. However, his behaviour, particularly regarding his conduct with children, raises significant concerns.
Rather than forming normal adult relationships, he became fixated on young boys and childlike activities. He went to great lengths to cultivate special bonds, ultimately spending hundreds—if not thousands—of one-on-one days and nights behind closed doors and in bed with them, even after allegations of abuse arose. Once those boys reached a certain age, they were often cast aside and replaced with younger ones, treated as though they were mere toys. For most adults, such behaviour is profoundly disturbing and totally unacceptable.
Fans, often described as "stans" or part of the "cult of celebrity," idolize him and dismiss any allegations of wrongdoing. They argue that he was simply trying to relive a childhood he never experienced. To support this narrative, they frequently resort to conspiracy theories and misinformation to defend his legacy, disregarding accusations and evidence as components of a larger scheme.
Take, for instance, Jordan Chandler, Jackson's first accuser, who has been subjected to degrading conspiracy theories. Some claim he was drugged by his father and implanted with false memories of abuse. The multi-million dollar settlement, funded directly by Jackson, is often framed as coerced by a mysterious insurance company, allegedly preventing Jackson from clearing his name. Despite law enforcement confirming Chandler's description of discoloration on Jackson’s genitalia matched, supporters insist there was a significant mismatch—without credible evidence.
Turning our attention to Wade Robson and James Safechuck, along with the documentary Leaving Neverland, these men have faced an overwhelming amount of unfounded claims. These don't just originate from ardent supporters, but also from the Jackson estate and family, who imply that their primary motivation is to secure large monetary settlements. However, the facts illustrate that both men fought for nearly a decade to bring their cases to court, overcoming numerous obstacles. Any potential financial compensation they may receive would ultimately be determined by a court, not by themselves.
Supporters further argue that Jackson's 2005 acquittal in the case involving Gavin Arvizo should be interpreted as proof of his complete innocence. However, securing a conviction for sexual assault is incredibly difficult, especially in cases where key witnesses refuse to cooperate. Additionally, Jackson's refusal to undergo cross-examination and Wade Robson's later admission that he falsely denied the abuse due to years of grooming raise doubts about relying solely on that verdict as an indication of innocence.
Another commonly repeated yet erroneous claim is that the FBI conducted a thorough ten-year investigation of Jackson before declaring him completely innocent. A brief glance at the FBI's website reveals that they never launched an investigation into Jackson; rather, they offered technical support to local law enforcement upon request. Astonishingly, Jackson's defenders cite the FBI as an exonerating authority while disregarding the views of the Santa Barbara and LA police departments, which regarded him as a potential child predator.
Perhaps the most troubling argument from fans involves other boys—now men—who claim their relationships with Jackson was innocent. They use this to imply all accusers must be lying. While Jackson may have had relationships deemed innocent by some, there remains a strong possibility that, like James and Wade, these men are either unable or unwilling to publicly acknowledge wrongdoing by someone they admired. In either case, since they were never present when others reported abuse, their opinion holds little weight.
It is genuinely disheartening that some segments of society are more inclined to celebrate and idolize Jackson rather than confront his troubling behaviours and questionable conduct with children, even long after his passing. This platform seeks to illuminate the conspiracies and misinformation propagated by Jackson's apologists, while also educating readers about the complex nature of child sexual abuse.
