Dave Chappelle recently performed in San Francisco as part of his SNL hosting duties in January. The comedian claims that the show’s producers discouraged him from discussing sensitive topics such as Gaza and transgender rights during his opening monologue.
According to a review by SF Gate, Chappelle said “SNL” producers forbade him from bringing up these issues, despite their relevance to the monologue’s themes of politics and social commentary. Instead, he briefly touched on Gaza, mentioning “Give the Jews a break, free Palestine” before dropping his mic.
Chappelle’s monologue covered various topics, including the Los Angeles fires and Donald Trump. He also addressed Trump directly, saying “Please do better next time.” Additionally, he emphasized empathy for displaced people and appealed to the audience to remember their humanity.
Critics have previously criticized Chappelle for his anti-trans material. The comedian has maintained a reputation for pushing boundaries with his comedy, but it appears that even he was subject to some form of censorship on SNL.
Chappelle’s set included mentions of Kanye West and other celebrity friends.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/dave-chappelle-snl-gaza-and-transgender-people-monologue-1236310271