How did top stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle roast DJ Khaled and top political figures?

The top US comedian didn't leave an opportunity to take a swipe at political, public icons

Last updated:
Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor
2 MIN READ
Dave Chappelle
Dave Chappelle
Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP

Dubai: Trust top stand-up American comedian Dave Chappelle to make a meal out of the recent turbulent geopolitical events at his recent stop in the UAE.

The 51-year-old took the stage shortly after a ceasefire in the region and addressed a range of topics, including US President Donald Trump’s recent comments on social media updating them about the Iran-Israel conflict and actions related Middle East.

He found the leader's propensity to plan actions with global ramifications on WhatsApp a great source of comedy material.

Chappelle referred to the US President’s Truth Social post announcing air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, quoting the post and adding commentary in his trademark style. His jokes landed.

He also referenced the March incident involving US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who reportedly shared military information via private messaging platforms. He didn't stop there.

The comedian responded to an audience member’s shout about DJ Khaled by mentioning the artist’s silence on the war in Gaza, interspersed with characteristic humour.

While Chappelle did not speak directly about Palestine during this show, he concluded with a reflection on the responsibilities of public figures and how his words might be interpreted or misrepresented.

Who's Dave Chappelle?

Born in Washington, D.C. in 1973, Chappelle began performing stand-up in his early teens before gaining national recognition through film roles and television appearances. He is best known for creating and starring in Chappelle’s Show (2003–2006), which became widely praised for its satirical take on social and cultural issues. Chappelle has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including multiple Emmy and Grammy Awards, as well as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

His Netflix specials—among them The Dreamer—have drawn global audiences and contributed to his reputation as one of the most influential voices in modern comedy.

Manjusha Radhakrishnan
Manjusha RadhakrishnanEntertainment Editor
Manjusha Radhakrishnan has been slaying entertainment news and celebrity interviews in Dubai for 18 years—and she’s just getting started. As Entertainment Editor, she covers Bollywood movie reviews, Hollywood scoops, Pakistani dramas, and world cinema. Red carpets? She’s walked them all—Europe, North America, Macau—covering IIFA (Bollywood Oscars) and Zee Cine Awards like a pro. She’s been on CNN with Becky Anderson dropping Bollywood truth bombs like Salman Khan Black Buck hunting conviction and hosted panels with directors like Bollywood’s Kabir Khan and Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. She has also covered film festivals around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she landed the cover of Xpedition Magazine as one of the UAE’s 50 most influential icons? She was also the resident Bollywood guru on Dubai TV’s Insider Arabia and Saudi TV, where she dishes out the latest scoop and celebrity news. Her interview roster reads like a dream guest list—Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Robbie Williams, Sean Penn, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Morgan Freeman. From breaking celeb news to making stars spill secrets, Manjusha doesn’t just cover entertainment—she owns it while looking like a star herself.
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