‘Beyond disgusting’: Erika Kirk, Elon Musk hit back after Dave Chappelle jokes Charlie Kirk's murder made him ‘feel better’

Comedian Dave Chappelle faced backlash after joking about the alleged assassination of Charlie Kirk at a campus event in Utah. The joke, made during a show at Madison Square Garden on November 7, sparked outrage from Elon Musk, Benny Johnson, and Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk. Charlie Kirk, 31, was reportedly shot dead by Tyler Robinson during a student Q&A session at UVU in Orem on September 10, 2025.

Erika Kirk expressed her disgust at Chappelle's comment, stating on X that it is "beyond disgusting" to see comedians "laugh about political assassination as though it's entertainment and the destruction of a human life is a punchline." She emphasized the moral decay of a culture that finds humor in such violent acts, threatening the foundation of their democracy.

Benny Johnson shared a screenshot of Charlie Kirk's own post condemning an attack on Chappelle, where Charlie had defended him. Elon Musk also shared Johnson's post, calling Chappelle's joke "shameful." A judge recently ruled that Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder, should stand trial, with the death penalty remaining an option.