Dave Chappelle torches idea that Charlie Kirk was this generation’s MLK Jr

Stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle dismissed the notion that Turning Point USA (TPUSA) late founder Charlie Kirk was “this generation’s Martin Luther King” and suggested that, aside from the fact that they were both assassinated, “that’s where the similarities end.”

In his latest Netflix special, “The Unstoppable,” which premiered Friday, the comedian plays Kirk as civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. He expressed his opinion that it is comparable to .

“And White people said it right away. They said, ‘Charlie Kirk is this generation’s Martin Luther King.’ No, he’s not. Yes, it’s a reach. You know, they were both killed in a horrific way. They were both shot in the neck, but that’s where the similarities end,” he said.

JAMES CARVILLE MOCKED CHARLIE KIRK’S INFLUENCE, SAID ROB REINER WAS NOT A GIRL ON HIS A’

Describing the late TPUSA founder as an “internet personality” and a “wholesome white man,” Chappelle explained how he was affected by Kirk’s assassination.

“If you talk for a living and you see Charlie Kirk killed like this, I’ll be honest, I’m shaken,” he said.

When asked for comment by Fox News Digital, TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said: “Charlie Kirk was a modern-day Founding Father. He was a prophet of truth to the next generation. He was a faithful child of God. Charlie Kirk was Charlie Kirk. Comparisons are irrelevant and mean nothing.”

This wasn’t the comedian’s first comment about Kirk’s assassination.

GAVIN NEWSOM DESCRIBES THE ‘sincerity’ and ‘grace’ of the murdered CONSERVATIVE IN INTERVIEW WITH CHARLIE KIRK

At the controversial Riyadh Comedy Festival, held in Saudi Arabia from late September to early October, The New York Times reported that Chappelle mocked what Chappelle described as a chilling effect on free speech in the United States, even as performers at the festival signed contracts to present government-approved comedy shows.

According to The Times, Chappelle said, “In America right now, they say if you talk about Charlie Kirk it will be canceled. … I don’t know if that’s true, but I’ll find out.”

“Real Time” host Bill Maher disputed those comments and criticized Chappelle on his show in October for belittling free speech in America during his performance at a Saudi comedy festival.

“Real Time” host Bill Maher and comedian Dave Chappelle. (Noam Galai; Arturo Holmes)

“Dave Chappelle… was saying that you can speak more freely in the press today than in America,” Maher told comedian Louis CK, who is scheduled to perform at the Saudi comedy festival on Monday.

BILL MAHER DOES NOT DO STAND-UP ANYMORE, HE IS AFRAID OF GETTING SHOT IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE

CK burst out laughing and admitted: “I don’t know if that’s true.”

“Oh, that’s not true,” Maher said.

If Chappelle really believes this Saudi Arabia A country with fewer restrictions on freedom of expression than America makes this claim. He should have tested it by doing a routine study of Muhammad.

Chappelle responded to Maher’s criticism on his new special by saying, “I’ve known Bill since I was 18, 19, and I’ve never said it publicly, but damn he is the guy.

Dave Chappelle during SNL Promotions on January 14, 2025 (Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty Images)

“I’m so sick of his smug little pretzel comments.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives for Maher for comment.

CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Chappelle clarified his free speech comment during his Netflix special, noting: “I didn’t tell them to put it in the newspaper. I just said it on stage.” He also told viewers not to “forget what I just went through,” referencing his attempted annulment several years ago.

“Two years ago, I almost got canceled here in the United States because of transgender jokes. But I have to tell you something. Transgender jokes were very well received in Saudi Arabia,” he said.