Erika Kirk Condemns Dave Chappelle Joke About Charlie Kirk’s Death
Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, called laughter at political assassination 'beyond disgusting' in a post on X on November 9, after Dave Chappelle joked about her husband's death at Madison Square Garden.
Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, condemned comedians and commentators who laugh about her husband's killing in a post on X on Sunday, November 9, after Dave Chappelle joked about it during a New York show.
The 37-year-old did not name Chappelle. Her statement followed footage from his weekend set at Madison Square Garden, part of his Karmageddon Tour, which drew backlash across social media.
What Chappelle said
The show was advertised as phone-free, with audience devices stored in Yondr pouches. Footage of the joke still emerged.
"Ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered, and I shouldn't say this publicly, but I feel better," Chappelle said. He added: "I know I shouldn't say that, but it's just a feeling."
He then described driving around and wondering why he was in such a good mood, before answering himself with "Oh!"
Erika Kirk's response
Kirk wrote that watching "leftist podcasters, comedians, and commentators laugh about political assassination as though it's entertainment and the destruction of a human life is a punchline, is beyond disgusting."
She said her husband was killed in an act of political violence. "Our two children and I will live with every day for the rest of our lives," she wrote.
"A culture that laughs at assassination is one of profound moral decay," she continued. She said it threatens the foundation of the country and the principles that hold its democracy together.
Her post ended with a call: "You do not have to agree with someone's politics to recognize the value of their life. This should not be so hard."
Podcast sponsors pulled
The row follows criticism of "I've Had It" podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan. They laughed at a joke about Kirk during an episode on November 5.
The pair apologized in a joint statement. "We regret it, and we apologize," they wrote, adding that "Whatever our political differences, there is nothing funny about gun violence."
The podcast has since lost several sponsors, including Chewy and CashApp. The hosts have accused Turning Point of orchestrating a "huge online cancellation campaign" against them.
Prominent conservative figures and supporters of President Donald Trump also voiced outrage over Chappelle's remarks, describing the joke as sick and unacceptable.
Charlie Kirk died on September 10, 2025, after being shot at a college event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
