Dave Smith has defended fellow comedian Pete Davidson for his Charlie Kirk joke on The Roast of Kevin Hart, which was released on Netflix earlier this week.
Smith, 43, appeared on the May 14 episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored titled “‘I’m Gonna Roast YOU!’ Dave Smith vs Adam Sosnick Reunite In Comedy Battle,” and said of Pete’s joke:
“It was hilarious. It was a great joke.”
When Morgan asked whether Smith thought Davidson had crossed a line, the latter opined:
“I don’t even like understand entertaining this conversation of whether it crossed a line. And as you pointed out Piers, right? Like it just shows everybody’s hypocrisy immediately because people who’re outraged about the George Floyd joke aren’t outraged about the Charlie Kirk joke, and vice versa. It’s a roast, it’s edgy comedy, and if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. It’s really that simple.”
Dave Smith went on to say he is “friends” with Pete Davidson as they started out together as stand-up comedians. He claimed millions of people “love” Davidson and would fill up theaters if and when he plans to go on a tour next. Smith added:
“He also does a lot of these roasts and he regularly has awful jokes told about his father, who died in 9/11, and he laughs… With comedy, it’s all about the intention, right? … Is to try to get everyone in the room to crack up, laughing. That’s the goal, that’s what Pete does.”
Dave Smith concluded that Pete Davidson knew that his audience wouldn’t walk out on him despite its “edgy” nature, as they were there for the “big punchline.”
Adam Sosnick appeared to disagree and said not only was the Charlie Kirk joke “unfunny” and “offensive,” but it did “cross a line.” However, it was up to the “market” to decide whether it would continue to entertain Davidson or not.
Here’s everything you need to know about Pete Davidson’s Charlie Kirk joke
During his roast of Kevin Hart for the live Netflix special, Pete Davidson joked about his fellow performer, Tony Hinchcliffe, and drew a comparison to the late Turning Point USA founder and conservative political commentator/ activist, Charlie Kirk.
“Tony reminds me of Charlie Kirk, in that he has definitely been on camera letting a guy unload in his throat… Kill, Tony. Please, someone, f**king kill Tony,” Davidson quipped.
Many online thought the joke was in poor taste as Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking on stage at the Utah Valley University Campus in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025. He was fatally shot in the neck by a long-range sniper rifle during the American Comeback Tour stop in Utah, organized by his nonprofit TPUSA. He was 31.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Erika Kirk, and their two children. In the wake of the murder, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested as the suspected shooter.
Meanwhile, insiders told Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice that Pete Davidson was “warned” about the joke before going on the dias, but still chose to go along with it.
“Pete was absolutely warned. People told him the Charlie Kirk material would create a firestorm. He didn’t listen.”
Another source added:
“If this had aired on NBC, CBS, or ABC, the joke would have been cut instantly. There’s no question about it.”
Netflix is now under pressure to remove the joke from the roast, with an insider stating:
“Mainstream outlets are uncomfortable even repeating the joke. That tells you how radioactive this has already become. People expect edgy from Pete. But this crossed into territory a lot of executives think simply isn’t funny anymore.”
Kirk’s close friend, Andrew Kolvet, appeared on The Charlie Kirk Show and said the joke wasn’t funny and he felt “cringed” when he saw the clip. While Kolvet agreed comedy can be a “powerful outlet,” he claimed in this context the joke was “distasteful.”
Pete Davidson has yet to address the backlash, while people online continue to demand an apology.
Earlier, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel came under fire and was suspended after his Charlie Kirk joke was aired. He was later reinstated.
It is noteworthy that Tony Hinchcliffe made a joke about George Floyd on the same show as Pete Davidson:
“The Black community is so proud of you [Kevin Hart]. Right now, George Floyd is looking up at us all laughing so hard that he can’t breathe.”
Hinchcliffe, too, is facing backlash, including from Floyd’s brother Terrence, who called it “tasteless” on The Breakfast Club with Loren LaRosa.
Edited by Pallavi K