Dave Chappelle faced criticism after telling an audience that "Charlie Kirk's assassination had made him 'feel better.'" The comedian made the statement during a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday night.
"I feel f***ed up saying this. It's scary being a public speaker," Chappelle, 53, reportedly said, according to a circulating online clip. "And I mean, look, ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered... and I shouldn't say this publicly, but I feel better," he added, prompting laughter and applause from some attendees.
Commentator Benny Johnson was among the first to criticize the remark on X, formerly Twitter. "When Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage, Charlie stood up for him. After Charlie was murdered in an act of political violence himself, Chappelle is joking about it," Johnson posted. Johnson was referencing a May 2022 tweet from Kirk defending Chappelle after the comedian was attacked on stage at the Hollywood Bowl.
At the time of the 2022 incident, Kirk wrote, "By refusing to charge the armed maniac who attacked Dave Chappelle on stage, George Gascon is sending a clear message that publics acts of political violence are justifiable - and even encouraged - against anyone who dares speak out against The Regime. It's Sinister & Un-American."