Dave Chappelle Reacts To Anti-Trans Backlash: 'They Threw Eggs'

Comedian Dave Chappelle has reacted to the backlash he received after several of his jokes were seen as anti-trans, and how protesters threw eggs at his fans, who were in a queue to watch his show.

"I guess apparently they had made a pledge to the public at large that they would make their club a safe space for all people, and that they would ban anything they deemed transphobic," the 49-year-old comedian said during the new episode of his podcast "The Midnight Miracle," which dropped Tuesday.

Chappelle said this about the First Avenue club, located in Minneapolis. The club canceled his show in July last year following the backlash, and later apologized for booking him in the first place. The venue also made a vow they will keep the club a "safe space" for everyone.

The comedian called out the club for making such a "wild stance," considering they were an artistic venue.

"This is a wild stance for an artistic venue to take, especially one that's historically a punk rock venue," he said.

Following the cancellation, Chappelle went on to perform at the Varsity Theater. The comedian shared this show grabbed the attention of many protesters, who threw eggs at his fans, who lined up to watch his show outside the theater.

"These were grown people of various genders and gender identities," he said. "They threw eggs. They threw eggs at the [fans] who were lined up to see the show... They was doing all that s--t."

He continued, "One lady was so mad with the protesters, she picked up a police barricade. You ever seen one? They look like a bike rack. This b---- picked that barricade up by herself and threw it at the crowd. I gotta tell you, it's an amazing feat of strength for a woman."

The comedian explained when he walked on the stage, he received a "huge ovation because suddenly going to see a comedy show was this huge act of defiance." He added, "I don't think anyone had any malicious intent."

Chappelle further noted many people accuse him, saying his jokes are "somehow gonna be the root cause of some impending violence."

The comedian came under fire following his 2021 Netflix special "The Closer." He was criticized over his remarks about transgender people, as well as comments involving the pace of the LGBTQ+ community's civil rights. The comedian was attacked on stage during the "Netflix Is A Joke" festival held in May last year.