Chappelle Says He Feels Better Since Charlie Kirk's Murder
The comedian's remark during a Madison Square Garden show triggered immediate criticism from Piers Morgan and Kirk's widow.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
Dave Chappelle told a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden that he feels better now that Charlie Kirk is dead.
The comedian made the statement during his "Karmageddon" tour performance on Saturday night. Although the show was designated as phone-free, video clips of the set leaked onto social media. One clip uploaded to X captures Chappelle saying, "Ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered and I shouldn't say this publicly, but I feel better. I know I shouldn't say that, but it is just a feeling." He added that he knows he should not say it, but described the sentiment as a feeling.
British broadcaster Piers Morgan reacted to the comments on X, calling them "disgusting." Morgan noted that the remark was "especially egregious" because Chappelle survived an on-stage attack in 2022. Chappelle's representatives did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on Sunday.
Erika Kirk, the widow of the late activist, also weighed in on the reaction. She wrote on X that seeing leftist podcasters, comedians, and commentators laugh about political assassination is "beyond disgusting." She stated that a culture that laughs at assassination is one of "profound moral decay." Kirk did not specify which particular joke prompted her post, but the comment landed amid a week of scrutiny over humor regarding Kirk's death.
Other entertainers faced similar heat this week. Jennifer Welch and Angie "Pumps" Sullivan, hosts of the "I've Had It" podcast, apologized on Saturday after laughing at a social media quip. The joke they read during Thursday's episode said, "we are digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again." Cash App dropped its sponsorship of the show, writing on X that it does not condone violence of any kind. Welch and Sullivan called the joke insensitive and donated money to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety.
Comedian Michael Che also addressed the topic in his Netflix special, "Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota," released last month. In the opening, Che said he believes the murder happened because "straight white conservative Christian men are being silenced." In an interview, Che said he wants people to laugh at the things that horrify them.
Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA and was shot and killed in September 2025 while speaking at a college event in Utah. Tyler Robinson of Utah has been charged in the death.
