Nationwide — Dave Chappelle tackled controversial topics in his latest Netflix special, The Unstoppable, addressing the assassination of Charlie Kirk and his controversial performance in Saudi Arabia. He spoke openly, mixing humor with sharp observations about politics and comedy.
The special, which premiered Friday, focused on Kirk, the conservative commentator who was shot and killed at a Utah college in September. Chappelle briefly compared him to Martin Luther King Jr. but quickly dismissed the idea.
“Yeah, that’s a reach. You know, they both got murdered in a terrible fashion. They both got shot in the neck, but that’s about where those similarities end,” Chappelle said.
According to USA Today, Chappelle described Kirk as an “internet personality” and a “wholesome white guy.” He admitted the murder left him shaken, saying, “If you talk for a living and see Charlie Kirk get murdered that way. I’ll be honest, I was shook.”
The comedian also addressed criticism over performing at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival, alongside Bill Burr and Kevin Hart. The 14-day event coincided with the anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s 2018 killing. Chappelle joked that performing in the Middle East can sometimes be easier than in the U.S., noting, “transgender jokes went over very well in Saudi Arabia.”
He explained that performing abroad gives him more freedom. “I’ll take money from Saudi Arabia any day just so I can say no over here. It feels good to be free,” he said, highlighting the ongoing debate over comedy, politics, and boundaries in modern stand-up.