Dave Chappelle is facing a fierce backlash after joking about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a sold-out Madison Square Garden show at the weekend. The comedian, 53, was closing his Karmageddon tour with back-to-back shows at the New York arena on 6 and 7 November, as part of the New York Comedy Festival, when he made the remark that has now been viewed millions of times online.
In a short, low-quality clip circulating on X, Chappelle can be heard saying: “I feel f***ed up saying this. It’s scary being a public speaker… Ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered, and I shouldn’t say this publicly, but, I feel better.” Hesitant laughter can be heard from the crowd before Chappelle adds: “I know I shouldn’t say that. But, it’s just a feeling.” The shows were advertised as phone-free, with devices sealed in Yondr pouches, which makes the existence of the clip itself notable.
Musk, Erika Kirk and Piers Morgan condemn the joke
The criticism came quickly. Elon Musk responded on X with three sharply worded posts, writing “Dave Chappelle is cruel”, “Chappelle is just not funny anymore” and “Shame, shame, shame on Chappelle.” Erika Kirk, the activist’s widow, condemned the joke without naming Chappelle directly, calling it “beyond disgusting” to see a human life turned into a punchline and warning against normalising political violence. Broadcaster Piers Morgan also criticised both the material and the audience’s reaction.
Writer Rob Henderson, who said he attended the Saturday show, posted that Chappelle went further, quoting him as saying: “I’m so happy Charlie Kirk was killed. I can’t help it, it’s involuntary.” Henderson’s post and the video were viewed nearly seven million times. Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on 10 September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson has been charged with his murder.
What is known, and what is not
Chappelle’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to reports. It is also worth noting what the clip does not show: it is less than a minute long, offers no wider context for the routine, and it is not clear what Chappelle said immediately before or after the remark. Coverage so far has come largely from right-leaning outlets, with major left-leaning national outlets yet to cover the story in detail.
Chappelle has previously joked about Kirk’s death in his December 2025 Netflix special, Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable, saying he had been shaken by the killing. The contrast between that response and the MSG remark is part of why the backlash has been so sharp. For now, the comedian has not addressed the controversy publicly, and the debate continues to rage online.
Related: Tana Mongeau’s Erika Kirk costume sparks fierce Halloween debate and Musk’s $474m midterm bet backfires as backed candidates lose.
