Dave Chappelle jokes about Charlie Kirk's death at MSG

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Nov, 19:26 · Archive

Comedian Dave Chappelle told a sold-out Madison Square Garden audience he felt 'better' after Charlie Kirk's murder.

Dave Chappelle told a sold-out Madison Square Garden audience on Saturday night that he had felt 'better' since Charlie Kirk was murdered, drawing laughter and scattered applause. The comedian made the remark during back-to-back weekend shows that closed his 'Karmageddon' tour and opened the New York Comedy Festival.

'I feel f***ed up saying this. It's scary being a public speaker,' Chappelle said. 'And I mean, look, ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered… and I shouldn't say this publicly but, I feel better.' He continued: 'I know I shouldn't say that, but it's just a feeling. I didn't ask to feel this way. I just be driving around like, Why am I in such a good mood? Oh!'

Kirk, the 31-year-old 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. The show was advertised as phone-free, with attendees' devices sealed in pouches, though a clip of Chappelle's remark circulated online.

Conservative commentator Benny Johnson criticised the joke, noting that Kirk had previously defended Chappelle when the comedian was attacked on stage. 'When Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage, Charlie stood up for him. After Charlie was murdered in an act of political violence himself, Chappelle is joking about it,' Johnson said. Eleven months earlier, Chappelle had reacted to Kirk's death differently, saying in his December Netflix special that the shooting had rattled him.

How it is being reported

• Dave Chappelle is slammed for telling crowd that Charlie Kirk's assassination made him 'feel better'The comedian, 53, made the startling admission on Saturday night while performing at a sold-out show in New York City's Madison Square Garden.Daily Mail · 8 Nov, 19:15
• Dave Chappelle makes ghoulish joke about Charlie Kirk’s murder to sold-out MSG crowd: ‘Why am I in such a good mood?’Dave Chappelle told a sold-out Madison Square Garden he’s felt ‘better’ ever since Charlie Kirk was murdered — and got cackles from the New York City crowd. The comedian made the remark during back-to-back weekend shows that closed his “Karmageddon” tour and opened the New York Comedy Festival. “I feel f–ked up saying this. It’s...New York Post · 8 Nov, 16:38

In this story: Dave Chappelle · Charlie Kirk · Tyler Robinson · Benny Johnson · Madison Square Garden · Turning Point USA · Utah Valley University

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