Dave Chappelle Faces Backlash Over Comments During Stand-Up Show

Comedian Dave Chappelle stirred controversy during a stand-up performance in New York City, where he commented on the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk. The remarks were made during a show at Madison Square Garden, despite a no-cell-phone policy. A video circulating on social media shows Chappelle addressing Kirk’s death while on stage.

Chappelle expressed a conflicted sentiment, saying, “I feel f—– up saying this. It’s scary being a public speaker. And I mean, ever since that guy, Charlie Kirk, got murdered, I feel better.” His statements sparked a strong reaction on social media, with various public figures and commentators expressing outrage.

Erika Kirk, in a statement on X, criticized Chappelle’s humor about assassination, labeling it as “disgusting.” She highlighted the importance of recognizing the value of life, regardless of political differences, stating, “A culture that laughs at assassination is one of profound moral decay.”

Prominent voices joined the chorus of criticism. Elon Musk condemned Chappelle’s comments, saying, “Shame, shame, shame on Chappelle.” Benny Johnson and Meghan McCain also voiced their disapproval, questioning Chappelle’s judgment. Katie Miller addressed Live Nation, questioning their agreement with Chappelle’s perceived approval of such humor.

Journalist Piers Morgan referred to Chappelle’s comments as particularly offensive, given that Chappelle survived an attack on stage in 2022. Notably, Charlie Kirk had supported Chappelle following that incident, criticizing the decision not to charge the attacker.

Charlie Kirk was murdered on September 10, 2025, at a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University. The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, faces seven charges, having pled not guilty. His legal team is currently attempting to exclude cameras from an upcoming hearing.

Dave Chappelle has faced pushback for his controversial comedic style before. His 2021 Netflix special, “The Closer,” faced internal protests from Netflix employees over jokes about transgender individuals.

Kirk’s assassination has been referenced in other comedic contexts, including Pete Davidson’s and Michael Che’s performances, both drawing criticism for their jokes about the incident.

Chappelle’s team, as well as Madison Square Garden, have yet to comment on the situation. Fox News Digital reached out for a response but had not received one at the time of reporting. This article saw contributions from Lauryn Overhultz, Stepheny Price, and Michael Ruiz, with Max Bacall serving as the associate editor.