In a recent sit-down with CNNβs Van Jones, Dave Chappelle revisited his public plea to give Donald Trump a chance, telling the host that he felt like he didnβt have much choice at the time. Chappelle also expressed disappointment in the presidentβs βrepugnantβ rhetoric.
The comments were made during an SNL monologue Chappelle did shortly after the 2016 election. Earlier in the segment, Chappelle fondly revisited a celebration in Barack Obamaβs White House that made him feel particularly hopeful about where the country was headed.
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βSo, in that spirit...Iβm going to give him a chance,β Chappelle said about Trump. βAnd we, the historically disenfranchised demand that he give us a chance too.β
Jones, in a special that will air in full on Saturday night, asked Chappelle whether he felt Trump gave disenfranchised people a chance.
βItβs hard to tell where Trump ends and his constituents begin, but I think the rhetoric of his presidency is repugnant. I just donβt like the way he talks,β Chappelle said, adding, βWeβre living in a time where thereβs got to be more cultural sensitivity.β
Chappelle then connected that to his own experience as a comedian.
βEven a guy like me thatβs just writing jokes, I have to listen more than Iβve ever had to listen βcause the gripes is coming so fast and furious,β said Chappelle. βAnd Iβm not dismissive of peopleβs gripes. Might sound like it on stage, but I listen.β
He noted that the United States was far more eclectic than the people Trump preaches to.
βI donβt like talking bad about the president. I said we should give him a chance because heβs the president of the United States now. What choice do I have?β Chappelle said.
Democratic nominee for Maryland governor, Ben Jealous, who appears alongside Chappelle in the segment, then chimed in, saying he thought Chappelle had already apologized for that statement.
βWell, I donβt ever apologize,β Chappelle said, to laughter. βI said βI shouldnβt have said that shit.ββ
Jonesβ interview with Chappelle and Jealous will air at 7:00 pm ET Saturday on CNN.
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