WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Dave Chappelle told a sold out Madison Square Garden audience that he felt better after Charlie Kirk was murdered.
  • Chappelle’s remarks received some applause and laughter, and video of the performance later went viral on social media.
  • Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while debating students at Utah Valley University.
  • Neither the New York Comedy Festival nor Live Nation had publicly responded to Chappelle’s comments at the time of publication.

Dave Chappelle told a sold out Madison Square Garden crowd that he felt better following the murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The comedian made the remarks while performing consecutive shows on his “Karmageddon” tour.

Chappelle acknowledged that his comments could be difficult to say publicly. “And I mean look, ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered … and I shouldn’t say this publicly but, I feel better,” he told the audience.

The remark received some applause and laughter from people in the crowd. Chappelle then continued to describe his reaction as a feeling he had not chosen.

“I know I shouldn’t say that but, it’s just a feeling,” Chappelle continued. “I didn’t ask to feel this way.”

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Chappelle also acted out his thoughts while driving around. “I just be driving around like, ‘why am I in such a good mood? Oh!'”

Video showing the comedian delivering the remarks was posted late Friday. The footage then went viral across social media on Saturday night, pushing Chappelle’s comments far beyond the Madison Square Garden audience.

Kirk was shot in the neck and killed on September 10, 2025, during an appearance at Utah Valley University. He had been engaging in debate with students as part of his “American Comeback Tour.”

Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the case, is 23 years old and has been charged. Utah District Judge Tony Graf ruled in September that Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted.

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Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA. He was speaking at the university in Orem, Utah, when the fatal shooting occurred during the tour event.

Memorials for Kirk appeared around the world within hours of his death. Major professional sports organizations also recognized him, including the New York Yankees, who held a moment of silence.

Praise additionally came from heads of state and religious leaders following Kirk’s death. The tributes focused on Kirk and his advocacy for free speech and civil debate.

At the same time, the aftermath included savage celebrations by medical doctors, university leaders, cable news analysts and potentially hundreds of U.S. War Department personnel. Chappelle’s Madison Square Garden remarks now place him among those publicly expressing pleasure after Kirk’s death.

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The controversy arrived as several major companies distanced themselves from another public reaction to Kirk’s killing. Cash App, Chewy, Boll & Branch and Lola Blankets cut ties with Jennifer Welch’s “I’ve Had It” podcast over the weekend.

Welch and her cohost Angie Sullivan had responded with extended laughter to a post about digging up Kirk’s corpse and “doing it again.” Their reaction prompted the companies to end their relationships with the podcast.

Chappelle has himself been a victim of public violence. In May 2022, he was attacked during a performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles while telling jokes about transgender people.

Los Angeles Police Department officials said the suspect in that incident was armed “with a replica gun that could eject a knife blade when discharged correctly.” The attack occurred while Chappelle was performing onstage.

Neither the New York Comedy Festival nor Live Nation had responded publicly at the time of publication. Both organizations were sponsors of Chappelle’s Madison Square Garden performance where he delivered the comments about Kirk.

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