Erika Kirk seemingly blasts Chappelle over ‘disgusting’ joke about husband’s murder

Chappelle’s remark draws criticism

Dave Chappelle made a joke about Charlie Kirk’s killing during a Saturday performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The comedian said he felt better after Kirk was murdered, adding that he should not say it publicly; audience members laughed.

Erika Kirk, who took over her late husband’s political operation, did not identify Chappelle by name in a Sunday post on X. She condemned comedians and commentators who make political assassination a source of entertainment.

Kirk describes lasting loss

Erika Kirk said her husband was killed in political violence and that she and their two children would live with the consequences for the rest of their lives. She called a culture that laughs at assassination a sign of profound moral decay.

She also argued that people need not share someone’s politics to recognize the value of their life. Political violence, she said, should not be tolerated, excused or celebrated.

Podcasters also face backlash

Progressive podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan drew criticism after laughing at a social media post about Charlie Kirk. The post, which they read while discussing Republicans’ midterm election defeat, threatened to dig him up and kill him again.

Welch and Sullivan apologized and lost sponsorships, including support from Cash App. The payment platform said it did not condone violence of any kind.

Political figures respond

Benny Johnson, a podcaster associated with President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, condemned Chappelle’s joke. He said it was not comedy and criticized the remark’s reference to a father being taken from his children. The Independent said it had contacted Chappelle’s representatives for comment.