Comedian Pete Davidson Faces Backlash Over Joke About Charlie Kirk’s Death
"Anything goes in comedy, but this ain't it. Charlie was murdered just 8 months ago and we wonder why people have become so desensitized to political violence."
The Event
During Netflix's "The Roast of Kevin Hart" on Sunday at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, comedian Pete Davidson made a joke that referenced the death of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
The Joke and Immediate Reaction
Davidson's joke was directed at fellow comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, comparing him to Kirk and referencing Kirk's death. The remark drew immediate criticism from audience members and on social media.
Public Outcry
- One X user wrote: "Anything goes in comedy, but this ain't it. Charlie was murdered just 8 months ago and we wonder why people have become so desensitized to political violence."
- Another X user stated: "Pete Davidson just showed what kind of person he is. Pathetic, sick, no decency."
- A third user commented: "What makes this even worse is that he lost his father on 9/11. He understands the pain of growing up without a dad, but he’s joking about a man whose children will now grow up without theirs."
A Different Perspective
Blake Neff, producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," said in an X post: "I didn't like it, and I'm glad the audience wasn't into it, but there are other 'jokes' we've seen that are clearly a lot more hateful in intent than Pete's, and a few bad-taste jokes about Charlie are the price we have to pay for how iconic he has become in American culture."
Context
Fox News Digital reported that Turning Point USA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Davidson's father died in the September 11, 2001 attacks.