Erika Kirk calls jokes about her husband “beyond disgusting” after Chappelle set

Erika Kirk condemned jokes about her late husband, Charlie Kirk, on Sunday, Nov. 8, after Dave Chappelle joked about him during a Madison Square Garden performance, according to Deadline. Her statement called the jokes “beyond disgusting” and said political violence should never be celebrated.

• Deadline said Chappelle made the joke during a Saturday performance on his two-night Karmageddon Tour run at Madison Square Garden.
• Erika Kirk said she and her two children would live with her husband’s killing every day.
• Variety reported that podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan apologized for laughing at a separate joke, and that sponsors responded to the backlash.

What Chappelle said at Madison Square Garden

Deadline quoted Chappelle saying: “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. I know I shouldn’t say that, but it’s just a feeling.” Deadline reported that Kirk supporters criticized the joke.

What Erika Kirk said about the joke

She added that people need not agree with someone’s politics to recognize the value of their life. “Political violence must never be something this country tolerates, excuses, or celebrates,” she wrote. The statement addressed jokes by Chappelle and others; the reported incidents include a separate podcast episode that drew its own backlash.

The separate podcast apology and sponsor response

Variety reported that Welch and Sullivan apologized after laughing at a joke about Charlie Kirk during a Thursday episode of their podcast, “I’ve Had It.” Their statement called the joke insensitive, said they should not have laughed, and said: “We regret it, and we apologize.” The hosts said they donated to Everytown for Gun Safety and would continue using their platforms to support safety for Americans.

The segment was cut from the Thursday episode after backlash, Variety reported, although it was reshared online. Cash App said Friday it was no longer sponsoring the podcast. Chewy said it did not sponsor or support the show and condemned violence. Those sponsor responses concerned the podcast, not Chappelle’s performance.

What it means for the people involved

Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, Deadline reported. Tyler James Robinson is standing trial for aggravated murder and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Deadline said his next hearing was set for Monday; the report did not establish an outcome.

The two incidents brought different responses: Erika Kirk publicly condemned jokes about her husband’s killing, while Welch and Sullivan apologized for laughing at another joke and described a donation. The reports establish the podcast’s segment and sponsor developments, but do not establish that the hosts were responding to Chappelle’s set.