Pete Davidson has faced criticism for his jokes about Charlie Kirk and Kanye West on Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart. His statements, referring to Kirk’s alleged murder and West’s past anti-Semitic comments, sparked online backlash. Viewers viewed his approach as a desperate attempt at relevance, with some finding his political criticism misplaced and his performance disappointing.
Pete Davidson sparked backlash after he joked about Charlie Kirk and Kanye West during Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart screening at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 10. The former Saturday Night Live cast member initially targeted Tony Hinchcliffe, then moved on to West, linking the rapper’s previous statements to their long-running feud.
The collection quickly spread online, with many viewers criticizing Davidson’s tone and timing.
Pete Davidson talks about Charlie Kirk’s joke during Kevin Hart’s roast
According to Express, Davidson opened his barbecue set with a sharp joke about Hinchcliffe. “Tony [Hinchcliffe] He said: “He reminds me of Charlie Kirk because he was definitely on camera letting a man empty his throat. Davidson then added: ‘Kill Tony, please.’ Someone kills Tony. Tony, nothing you say tonight is going to hurt my feelings.
The Netflix roast was broadcast live from the Kia Forum as part of Netflix Is a Joke Fest, with Shane Gillis hosting the special.The joke referenced Kirk, the MAGA influencer who was shot and killed during a rally at Utah Valley University in September 2025. Tyler Robinson is charged with Kirk’s murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, Reuters reported. A Utah judge recently allowed cameras to remain in the courtroom and postponed a key hearing in the case.
Pete Davidson and Kanye West’s feud explained
Davidson then moved on to West and said, “I had a falling out with Kanye. So I took pictures of better gay Nazis.” The statement referred to West’s 2025 posts, in which he used offensive terms about himself, including “Nazi.”The feud between Davidson and West dates back to the comedian’s brief relationship with Kim Kardashian in 2021. Kardashian and Davidson split in August 2022. During that period, West repeatedly targeted Davidson online and called him a “Sk-te.”
He also released the “Eazy” music video which featured a disturbing depiction of Davidson being beheaded.The reaction online was intense. One user Another wrote: “Pete Davidson came in with nothing to lose. He was throwing punches like he had immunity. I’m sure Eric Kirk doesn’t.”A third viewer said: “We always bring politics where it has no place to make everyone uncomfortable, and make half the people uncomfortable just to get a clip later online.” Another post read: “Pete Davidson’s set ranked among the worst of the night, most of the lineups didn’t even feature comedians, and it’s sad to see a promising comedian have nothing to bring to the table.”
