Johnny Depp Hugging Lawyer After Closing Argument Warms Social Media

Johnny Depp and his attorney, Benjamin Chew, shared a meaningful embrace after Chew concluded his closing argument in the $50 million defamation lawsuit against Depp's ex-wife, Amber Heard.

After six weeks in the trial against Heard and the accusations that Depp is a domestic abuser, Chew apparently began to get choked up, his voice shaking as he told the jury, "It is about restoring his lost reputation. It's about showing Mr. Depp's children, Lily-Rose and Jack, that the truth is worth fighting for. It is. And it's about restoring Mr. Depp's name and standing in the community to the fullest extent that you can, and you can do something."

After concluding, Chew returned to his seat beside Depp, who was smiling and hugged him, earning a warm reaction from people on social media.

Many on Twitter shared the photo of Chew and Depp hugging. One user, @JiminBaekhoWife, wrote, "I'm speechless...Ben's words teared me up...And this hug burst my heart..."

Praise flooded in for both Chew and co-counsel Camille Vasquez, who started the closing argument on Friday. One user wrote, "Can I just take a moment to congratulate the amazing work that Johnny Depp's lawyers did this entire trial. Nothing but Class all the way, with credible witnesses."

Another tweeted, "Watching Ben Chew getting emotional and fighting to not tear up during his closing statement was really one of the most touching things in this trial, and there were many. What a great lawyer and empathetic human being."

In a video posted by a Twitter account called "Camille Vasquez stan account," both attorneys and Depp appear to smile and pat one another on the back, and the Twitter user wrote, "johnny already won just for having these wonderful people by his side. i love them so much, they are a true team and he gained friends for a lifetime."

The jury will begin deliberation on Friday afternoon, and if it does not reach a verdict on Friday, deliberations will resume after the Memorial Day weekend.

The jury has gone through six weeks of harrowing testimony and witness recounts as both Depp and Heard have alleged instances of violence and abuse against the other.

Depp sued Heard for $50 million after she published an op-ed in 2018 claiming to be a victim of domestic abuse. While the article did not mention Depp directly, his legal team argued that it was clearly about him.

Follow Newsweek's live blog for additional updates coming from Fairfax, Virginia.

Update 5/27/2022 at 12:45 p.m. EDT: This story has been updated to include more background information and reactions to the hug.