Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, publicly condemned comedian Dave Chappelle and podcaster Jennifer Welch on Sunday after both made remarks about her husband’s killing that drew a wave of criticism.
In a post on X, Kirk said that watching podcasters, comedians, and commentators laugh about a political assassination was “beyond disgusting.”
She wrote that her husband “was killed in an act of political violence” and said she and their two children will carry that loss every day for the rest of their lives.
“A culture that laughs at assassination is one of profound moral decay,” Kirk wrote, adding that it “threatens the very foundation of our country and the principles that hold our democracy together.”
She also wrote: “You do not have to agree with someone’s politics to recognize the value of their life,” and “Political violence must never be something this country tolerates, excuses, or celebrates.”
The first remarks came on November 5, on Welch’s podcast I’ve Had It. According to Breitbart, Welch and co-host Angie Sullivan made what they described as a joke about “digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again,” then laughed for more than 20 seconds.
Sponsors began leaving the show within hours. Cash App, Chewy.com, Boll & Branch and Lola Blankets all dropped the podcast. “We do not condone violence of any kind, and we are no longer sponsors of this podcast,” Cash App said in a social media post.
Welch and Sullivan later apologized, calling the remark “an insensitive joke.” “We should not have laughed,” they said. “We regret it, and we apologize.”
The second set of remarks came on Friday evening at Madison Square Garden. Breitbart reports that Chappelle told the audience he “feels better” since Charlie Kirk was killed, saying “ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered” and then adding, “I shouldn’t say this publicly.” He also said he “didn’t ask to feel this way,” described being in an unexpectedly good mood while driving, and said it had become frightening to be a public speaker.
Breitbart’s report does not include a response from Chappelle, and it does not say whether he has apologized.
Kirk’s post on Sunday came two days after Chappelle’s performance and three days after the podcast episode. In one line, she wrote simply: “This should not be so hard.”
