Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) responded to claims that she “weaponized” her social media interactions with comedian Dave Chappelle, arguing that Chappelle had already jumped into the political fray regarding transgender issues.
Boebert stated, “Dave Chappelle can do a little counseling session on NPR,” referencing Chappelle’s remarks about a post where they appeared together in the Capitol. She added, “I posted a picture with 50 Cent and others, and no one seemed to mind.”
In November 2023, Boebert shared a photo with Chappelle on Twitter, captioning it, “Only 3 people understand there are only two genders.” The tweet, which also included Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna from Florida, has since been removed.
Chappelle recently expressed his displeasure over how their photo had been used. He recalled, “I was in the Capitol, and several people were taking pictures with me. Then Lauren Boebert showed up and asked for a picture. She’d already taken 40, and I didn’t want to deny her in front of everyone. She immediately politicized it, which shouldn’t happen with someone like me.”
Chappelle’s comedy specials have often tackled transgender themes, provoking both controversy and acclaim, and he feels that Boebert has thrust him into a wider societal conversation. Boebert, in her defense, suggested that Chappelle willingly engages in these national debates through his comedy.
When asked if she believed her interaction with Chappelle had been politicized, Boebert maintained that the issue deserved political discourse. “They’re castrating our children, destroying them, and ruining their lives because of it. In Colorado, we should be castrating bulls, not baby boys,” she emphasized.
