Dave Chappelle Reflects on 2016 Comments About Trump

In a recent interview with Variety, comedian Dave Chappelle addressed his 2016 comments regarding giving President Donald Trump a chance. Chappelle, reflecting on his past, mentioned that his remarks were more representative of how he felt at that time.

He described that moment like a snapshot—”it’s something that was felt in that moment.” He noted, “Whether it’s aged or not, it’s not today,” expressing that he doesn’t feel anger when he revisits those thoughts.

Chappelle’s first appearance on “Saturday Night Live” after Trump’s victory was notably significant. He had said, “I’m going to give him a chance,” urging that historically marginalized voices should also be heard by the new administration.

He returned to SNL just before Biden’s win in 2020, and while his monologue included criticisms of Trump, he refrained from any jokes about Biden.

Chappelle expressed hopefulness for the future, particularly regarding the presidency. He reminded Trump, “If the guy voted for you or not, remember—they’re counting on you.” He encouraged the president to strive for improvement, stating, “Good luck. Please make it better next time. All of us, the next time, make it even better.” He added a call for empathy, particularly towards displaced communities, referencing areas like Palestine.

In a past commentary, Chappelle had also expressed regret about suggesting people should give Trump a chance, indicating his change in perspective since then.

Interestingly, he revealed that during SNL rehearsals, he never actually performs his monologue. He commented on the unique tension live television brings and how he never feels quite ready, saying, “You’re never as good as you think you’d do.” Acknowledging the sudden shift in political climate, he recalled being uncertain about the outcome of the election until the morning of his performance.