Erika Kirk has publicly condemned comedian Dave Chappelle and podcaster Jennifer Welch after both made comments mocking the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, the slain founder of Turning Point USA.
Kirk addressed the remarks in a post on X on Sunday, writing that it is “beyond disgusting” to see commentators treat political assassination as entertainment.
“To see 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,” Kirk wrote.
She went on to describe the personal toll of her husband’s killing.
“My husband, Charlie Kirk, was killed in an act of political violence, something 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. It threatens the very foundation of our country and the principles that hold our democracy together.”
Kirk added that political disagreement should never translate into dismissing the value of a person’s life. “You do not have to agree with someone’s politics to recognize the value of their life. This should not be so hard,” she wrote, closing with: “Political violence must never be something this country tolerates, excuses, or celebrates.”
The podcast remarks
Kirk’s statement followed an episode of Jennifer Welch’s “I’ve Had It” podcast, posted November 5, in which Welch and a co-host named Sullivan joked about “digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again,” then laughed for more than 20 seconds.
The segment drew swift public backlash. Welch and Sullivan later apologized, calling the remark “an insensitive joke” and stating, “we should not have laughed. We regret it, and we apologize.”
The apology did not stop an exodus of advertisers. Cash App pulled its sponsorship within hours, stating on social media, “We do not condone violence of any kind, and we are no longer sponsors of this podcast.” Chewy.com, Boll & Branch, and Lola Blankets also dropped the show as sponsors.
Chappelle’s Madison Square Garden set
The backlash also followed comments made by Dave Chappelle during a Friday evening performance at Madison Square Garden, where he told the audience he “feels better” since Kirk’s murder.
“I feel fucked up saying this. It’s scary being a public speaker. And I mean look, ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered … and I shouldn’t say this publicly but, I feel better,” Chappelle said. “I know I shouldn’t say that but, it’s just a feeling. I didn’t ask to feel this way. I just be driving around like, ‘why am I in such a good mood? Oh!'”
Charlie Kirk was killed in an act of political violence. Erika Kirk has since taken over leadership of Turning Point USA following his death.
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