Major advertisers cut ties after liberal podcast hosts laughed at a line about killing Charlie Kirk again, forcing a public apology and scrambling damage control.
Story Highlights
- The hosts apologized for laughing at a joke about exhuming Charlie Kirk and “doing it again.”
- Sponsors including Cash App and Chewy withdrew support, citing zero tolerance for violence.
- The clip was reportedly removed from the episode after backlash surged online.
- The hosts said they donated to Everytown for Gun Safety, but no receipt was provided.
What Happened On The Show And Why It Blew Up
Jennifer Welch read a post about “digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again,” and both hosts laughed on air. Reports say the viral snippet raced across social media and framed the moment as glorifying violence against a named political figure. The Los Angeles Times and Deadline both documented the wording and the laughter, which became the center of public criticism and advertiser response. That tight clip fueled anger fast and set the terms of the fallout.
Welch and co-host Angie Sullivan posted a written apology two days later. They said the “insensitive joke” should not have made them laugh, adding “we regret it.” They did not repeat the exact words in the apology. Coverage noted that the statement chose broad language and did not directly address the issue of celebrating political violence. The time gap was short, but the wording left room for critics to question how far the regret really went.
Advertisers Bolt After Violence Concerns
Cash App said it does not condone violence of any kind and stated it was no longer a sponsor. Chewy said the comments did not reflect its values and that it condemned violence in all forms. Additional brands reportedly pulled, paused, or distanced their ads. Sponsors reacted to risk, not legal findings. Their public messages drew a firm line on violence, which narrowed how the hosts could frame the event and raised the cost of any future missteps.
Reports say the show removed the controversial clip from the episode after the backlash. That edit showed a concrete step beyond words, but it came after the viral spread. In today’s media, the shortest, harshest segment often defines the story. Once millions watch a 20-second clip, cleanup rarely catches up to first impressions. That is why advertisers treat brand safety as urgent and move before any slow debate over context or intent can even begin.
The Apology, The Donation, And The Open Questions
The apology labeled the conduct “insensitive,” said they should not have laughed, and announced a donation to Everytown for Gun Safety. However, reports do not show a receipt, amount, or date. Without those details, the donation remains a claim, not a verified remedy. The statement also did not explain why production allowed the segment to be recorded and published before removal. That gap invites more scrutiny of editorial controls and whether safeguards will change.
Critics argue the apology reframed the event as generic gun violence instead of addressing political assassination as a red line. Family members of Charlie Kirk condemned the laughter as unacceptable. Commentators and streamers called for removal from platforms. The pushback shows a broader shift: audiences and brands will not tolerate rhetoric touching political violence. When a joke names a victim and suggests repeating it, many people do not hear “edgy humor.” They hear permission.
Why This Matters For Free Speech, Media, And Fair Play
Conservatives have watched standards shift for years. Many remember advertisers kneecapping right-leaning shows over selective clips. Now, the same brand-safety rules hit a progressive podcast. The principle should cut one way: no praise of political violence, period. The First Amendment protects speech from government punishment, but sponsors choose where to spend. When culture drifts toward joking about killing political opponents, families suffer, trust breaks, and the fabric of civil debate tears.
Here is the bottom line. The facts show laughter at a line about killing Charlie Kirk again, a quick apology, a claimed donation, and sponsors walking away. The clearest fixes are also clear: release the full, unedited segment; state plainly that assassination is never a punchline; show proof of the donation; and post new editorial rules. Respect for life and equal standards must come first. That is how we cool the temperature and keep our country from getting burned.
Sources:
redstate.com, variety.com, vinnews.com, huffpost.com
