Dave Chappelle Revisits 'Give Him a Chance' Comments About Trump: 'There's Got to Be More Cultural Sensitivity'

In a recent sit-down with CNN’s Van Jones, Dave Chappelle revisited his public plea to give Donald Trump a chance, telling the host that he felt like he didn’t have much choice at the time. Chappelle also expressed disappointment in the president’s β€œrepugnant” rhetoric.The comments were made during an SNL monologue Chappelle did shortly after…

In a recent sit-down with CNN’s Van Jones, Dave Chappelle revisited his public plea to give Donald Trump a chance, telling the host that he felt like he didn’t have much choice at the time. Chappelle also expressed disappointment in the president’s β€œrepugnant” 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 Obama’s White House that made him feel particularly hopeful about where the country was headed.

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β€œSo, in that spirit...I’m going to give him a chance,” Chappelle said about Trump. β€œAnd we, the historically disenfranchised demand that he give us a chance too.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--IS0XiNdpk

Jones, in a special that will air in full on Saturday night, asked Chappelle whether he felt Trump gave disenfranchised people a chance.

β€œIt’s hard to tell where Trump ends and his constituents begin, but I think the rhetoric of his presidency is repugnant. I just don’t like the way he talks,” Chappelle said, adding, β€œWe’re living in a time where there’s got to be more cultural sensitivity.”

Chappelle then connected that to his own experience as a comedian.

β€œEven a guy like me that’s just writing jokes, I have to listen more than I’ve ever had to listen β€˜cause the gripes is coming so fast and furious,” said Chappelle. β€œAnd I’m not dismissive of people’s gripes. Might sound like it on stage, but I listen.”

He noted that the United States was far more eclectic than the people Trump preaches to.

β€œI don’t like talking bad about the president. I said we should give him a chance because he’s the president of the United States now. What choice do I have?” 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.

β€œWell, I don’t ever apologize,” Chappelle said, to laughter. β€œI said β€˜I shouldn’t have said that shit.’”

Jones’ interview with Chappelle and Jealous will air at 7:00 pm ET Saturday on CNN.

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