First posted on Instagram
Elon Musk has condemned comedian Dave Chappelle over Chappelle’s remark that he feels better since conservative activist Charlie Kirk was murdered, writing “Shame, shame, shame on Chappelle” in a post on X on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Musk’s post was a quote-tweet of conservative commentator Benny Johnson, who wrote: “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’s post included an image of Kirk’s May 5, 2022 post defending Chappelle after the comedian was attacked onstage at the Hollywood Bowl.
The remark at the centre of the row came during Chappelle’s “Karmageddon” show at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday, November 7. In a clip circulating online, Chappelle is heard saying: “I feel f*cked up saying this but… ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered… and I shouldn’t say this publicly… I feel better.” The Garden shows, on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, opened the 22nd annual New York Comedy Festival.
The remark drew swift condemnation from conservative commentators and social media users. Benny Johnson wrote: “This isn’t even comedy. It’s just sick.” Mario Nawfal’s platform also condemned the remarks, pointing out that Kirk was a husband and father of two. Katie Miller asked whether Live Nation, the show’s promoter, agreed with the joke. Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet responded by posting John 15:18-25, a passage about the world’s hatred. Neither Chappelle nor Live Nation had commented as of publication.
Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with the killing.
Chappelle had spoken about Kirk’s death before. In his Netflix special “The Unstoppable,” released in December 2025, and during a set at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, he said he was shaken by the killing.
Musk’s post drew wide attention within hours of being posted, with 1.9K replies, 4.6K reposts, 37K likes and 1.2M views by Sunday evening.