Dave Chappelle Faces Backlash Over Reported Joke About Kirk's Killing at Madison Square Garden
Comedian Dave Chappelle said at Madison Square Garden that he feels "better" after the murder of Charlie Kirk, prompting sharp reactions on social media and from public figures.
Comedian Dave Chappelle drew sharp criticism on social media after reportedly joking about the murder of activist Charlie Kirk. During a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday evening, he reportedly said, according to a video circulating online, that he feels "better" after Kirk's killing. The show was part of the "Karmageddon" tour. Phones were banned in the venue, so the recording now circulating online was made by audience members in violation of the rules.
The reaction was swift. Erika Kirk, who leads Turning Point USA (TPUSA), called turning the murder into a punchline "disgusting." Among those who criticized the comedian's remarks were Elon Musk, Benny Johnson, Meghan McCain and Kari Miller. Kari Miller noted in her post the company Live Nation, which sold tickets for the tour. Piers Morgan recalled the 2022 attack on Chappelle on stage during one of his performances and pointed to the difference in how the comedian himself had reacted to violence against him.
Charlie Kirk was murdered on September 10, 2025, at a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Tyler Robinson, 23, charged with the murder, pleaded not guilty to seven charges. No trial date has been set, and the defense is seeking to keep cameras out of the hearings. Kirk had previously condemned the charges against the attacker who assaulted Chappelle; that attacker received four charges classified as misdemeanors.
This is not the first time Chappelle has faced public outrage. The most notable episode was the open revolt of Netflix employees in 2021, when some staff walked off the job over his special. Similar jokes about Kirk have also come from other comedians: a joke by Peter Davidson during a Netflix roast with Kevin Hart drew criticism, and Michael Che made a joke about the murder in a Netflix special. The hosts of the podcast "I've Had It" issued an apology after losing advertisers, showing how sensitive the topic has become for brands.
Representatives for Chappelle and Madison Square Garden did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication. It should be noted that the video that prompted the discussion spread on social media and has not been independently verified, and the exact wording of the comments has not been established. As a result, the full context of the joke is difficult to judge for now.
Source: foxnews.com
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