Comedian Dave Chappelle believes President Donald Trump is “surfing” a wave of racism in America in order to gain popularity.
“I would not even name the era after him [Trump],” the comedian (pictured above left) told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour when discussing Trump’s presidency and racism in modern America.
“He’s getting too much credit. He’s not making the wave [of racism], he’s surfing it.”
He continued, “All he does is sing those people’s greatest hits — ‘Build a wall,’ all these things we’ve heard before, he just sings all the songs. He’s the only one that has been brash enough to do it.”
“Some of the things they say — even when they say that Russia influenced the election, it’s kind of like, is Russia making us racist? Is that who’s doing it? Oh OK … oh my God, thank goodness, I thought it was us,” the “Half Baked” star added.
Dave Chappelle: Russia didn't make us racists https://t.co/WtonXUgv85 pic.twitter.com/ejevTunpM2
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) October 30, 2018
He also said, “If they killed the country that way, then we’re the murder weapon.”
In an earlier interview with CNN’s Van Jones, Chappelle said Trump’s rhetoric is “repugnant.”
“It’s hard to tell where Trump ends and his constituents begin, but I think that the rhetoric of his presidency is repugnant,” the comedian said.
He later added, “I just don’t like the way [Trump] talks. I don’t like … you know … we’re living in a time where there’s gotta be a little more cultural sensitivity.”
In a surprising example of the comedian’s being a bit more measured than many modern Hollywood leftists, Chappelle at least came out and supported rapper Kanye West’s backing of the president, a position that earned the rapper hate from many fellow artists, including “Avengers” and “Fantastic Four” star Chris Evans.
“First of all, you know, Kanye’s an artist, man. He’s a genius.” Chappelle told CNN’s Van Jones. “I think the angle he’s seeing things from is about the division that he sees.”
“And he’s not inconsistent with what he’s saying,” the comedian added.
He continued, “I’m not mad at Kanye. That’s my brother — I love him, I support him.”
Chappelle, 45, is best known for his Comedy Central series “Chappelle’s Show,” which ran from 2003 to 2006.
He also currently stars in “A Star Is Born,” an Oscar frontrunner that has earned over $140 million at the domestic box office. The film also stars Lady Gaga and “American Sniper” star Bradley Cooper, who directed the picture as well.
For more on Dave Chappelle, check out the video below:
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.