Dave Chappelle has found himself in some controversy following his show at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. The show was part of his Karmageddon tour, which for the most part, has gone off without a hitch.
However, someone in the crowd snuck a video, and it immediately began making the rounds in conservative circles. Why? Well, Chappelle had some extremely harsh words for political commentator Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10, 2025.
What Did Dave Chappelle Say About Charlie Kirk?
“Ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered, and I shouldn’t say this publicly but…. I feel better," Chappelle said before adding, “I’m sure Charlie Kirk is looking up at us right now laughing so hard he can’t breathe.”
His joke was a call back to what Tony Hinchcliffe said about George Floyd at the Kevin Hart Roast. Hinchcliffe received lots of flak for the joke, especially given the setting. This is not the first time Hinchcliffe has rubbed people the wrong way. He infamously made disparaging comments about Puerto Rico during a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden back in 2024.
Despite the context behind Chappelle's joke, there has been lots of outrage on social media. Some believe this was in poor taste, and that you should never make fun of someone who was assassinated in such a violent fashion. That said, there are others who find the backlash to be disingenuous. After all, that side of the political aisle consistently makes George Floyd jokes, and they go to great lengths to defend those jokes.
Ultimately, Chappelle is a comedian who has always pushed boundaries. For years, he was a darling of the right thanks to his jokes about Trans people. Now, those same people who used to champion him are calling him out this morning.
It just goes to show we live in a polarizing time, where comedy is acceptable for some but not for others.
