Dave Chappelle makes a joke about Charlie Kirk’s murder at a phone-free show. Then the footage hits the internet and Erica Kirk speaks out
‘Profound moral decay.’
Dave Chappelle is facing a wave of criticism after making a joke about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. According to The Hill, the comedian made the remark during a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, November 7, 2026. This performance was part of the New York Comedy Festival.
Attendees were required to secure their phones in Yondr pouches for the duration of the event. Despite this strict policy, footage of the moment eventually surfaced online. During the set, Chappelle addressed the audience about the dangers of being a public speaker. He said, “I feel f***** up saying this. It’s scary being a public speaker.” He then continued, “Ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered – and I shouldn’t say this publicly – but, I feel better.”
Chappelle acknowledged that his comments would likely offend some people, saying he did not ask to feel that way about the situation. He described driving around and wondering why he was in such a good mood before realizing it was connected to the death of the Turning Point USA founder. Charlie Kirk was 31 when he was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Erika Kirk shared her views after clips from Chappelle’s set emerged online
Without naming Chappelle, Erika Kirk, the widow of the late activist, condemned the act of joking about political violence. In a post on X, she wrote, “To see leftist podcasters, comedians, and commentators laugh about political assassination as though it’s entertainment and the destruction of a human life is a punchline, is beyond disgusting.”
She emphasized the personal toll of the event. She stated, “My husband, Charlie Kirk, was killed in an act of political violence, something our two children and I will live with every day for the rest of our lives.”
Erika Kirk also addressed the broader cultural implications of such humor. “A culture that laughs at assassination is one of profound moral decay. It threatens the very foundation of our country and the principles that hold our democracy together,” she wrote. She added that people should be able to value a life even when they disagree with someone’s politics. She concluded, “Political violence must never be something this country tolerates, excuses, or celebrates.”
The backlash against Chappelle has been widespread
Several high-profile figures have criticized the comedian. Elon Musk posted, “Shame, shame, shame on Chappelle,” on X. Broadcaster Piers Morgan called the remarks disgusting. Other commentators, like Meghan McCain and Benny Johnson, also expressed their disapproval. Johnson noted that Charlie Kirk had previously supported Chappelle after the comedian was attacked on stage at the Hollywood Bowl in May 2022.
This is not the first time Chappelle has discussed the death of the activist. In his Netflix special titled The Unstoppable, which was released three months after the shooting, he mentioned that the assassination had shaken him. At that time, he said, “If you talk for a living and see Charlie Kirk get murdered that way, I’m going to be honest, I was shook.”
The recent controversy arrives as other media figures also face pressure for their comments on the subject. According to Us Weekly, hosts of the podcast I’ve Had It, Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, issued an apology on November 7. They had previously laughed at a joke about Charlie Kirk during their episode on Thursday, November 5.
The duo stated, “We laughed at a joke about Charlie Kirk. It was an insensitive joke, and we should not have laughed. We regret it, and we apologize.” Their actions had previously led several sponsors to withdraw financial support from the show.
Chappelle is no stranger to controversy throughout his long career
Newsweek reports that in 2005, he famously walked away from his successful Comedy Central series, Chappelle’s Show, amid concerns about how his racial satire was being received by his audience. He later faced significant backlash for his Netflix specials, particularly The Closer, released in October 2021. In that special, he identified himself as a member of ‘Team TERF’ and made comments about transgender people that led to a walkout by Netflix employees.
He also faced criticism in November 2022 after hosting Saturday Night Live. His monologue addressed antisemitism, but critics argued that he invoked harmful stereotypes about Jewish influence.
Regarding the Madison Square Garden show, the venue website stated that all content delivered during the performance is the property of Pilot Boy Productions, Inc. The event was strictly device-free, meaning no cameras, laptops, or smart glasses were allowed. This was to ensure the artist’s request for a focused experience was met.
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