Dave Chappelle slams Charlie Kirk's comparison to Martin Luther King Jr: 'That's a reach'

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle has slammed the idea of comparing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk to social rights legend Martin Luther King Jr.

He dismissed the notion, pointing out the vast difference in their impact and historical significance, urging people to recognize the difference between the two figures.

Dave Chappelle rejects comparison of Charlie Kirk to Martin Luther King

During his latest Netflix special, ‘The Unstoppable,’ which premiered on Friday, December 19, Chappelle dismissed the notion that Kirk was "this generation's Martin Luther King," arguing that, besides the fact that both were assassinated, "That's about where those similarities end."

"And the Whites were quick to say this. They said, 'Charlie Kirk is this generation's Martin Luther King.' No, he's not. 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," he asserted.

Describing Kirk as an "internet personality" and a "wholesome White guy," Chappelle revealed how he was affected by Kirk's death.

"If you talk for a living and see Charlie Kirk get murdered that way, I'll be honest, I was shook," he said.

Charlie Kirk being compared to historical figures

Chappelle was reacting to a comment by TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, who said on Fox News Digital, "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 is Charlie Kirk. Comparisons don’t matter and mean nothing."

Earlier, during Kirk’s memorial service on September 21, Rep Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla), a former Turning Point USA official, compared the conservative activist to John F Kennedy and the Rev Martin Luther King Jr, both of whom were killed during their lifetimes.

Dave Chappelle comments on Charlie Kirk in Saudi Arabia

Previously, according to The New York Times, Chappelle quipped during the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, held from late September to early October, "Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you’ll get canceled. … I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m going to find out."

Real Time" host Bill Maher took issue with these comments, blasting Chappelle on his show in October for downplaying free speech in America during his performance at the Saudi comedy festival.

"Dave Chappelle … was in the press today saying that you can speak more freely over here than in America," Maher told comedian Louis CK.

CK let out a laugh and conceded, "I don't know if that's true."

"Oh, it's not true," Maher said. 

Chappelle responded to Maher's criticisms in his new special, saying, "I’ve known Bill since I was like 18, 19 years old, and I’ve never said this publicly, but f*** that guy."