In case 2023 didn’t already have enough controversial moments to taint everyone’s memories, Dave Chappelle capped off the year by releasing his latest Netflix special, Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer, which unsurprisingly divided the internet rather quickly. The comedian wasted little time before poking fun at transgender people, his preferred target of choice, before shifting into jokes about the physically disabled, specifically targeting former congressman Madison Cawthorn.
Chappelle, who preceded the special’s recording with sell-out shows around the country, certainly had more than a few viewers peeved for so self-awarely “punching down” with his humor, but Madison Cawthorn himself said he not only wasn’t insulted, but fully endorsed the comic’s ability to joke about whatever he wants. Here’s how the North Carolina native put it to TMZ:
I loved being roasted by Dave. Are you kidding? That’s my favorite comic. It was phenomenal. It was great. Obviously, it’s more fun if you can go back and forth but he’s a hysterical comic. What was the main gist, he was like, ‘Why would somebody invite a guy in a wheelchair to a sex party? Then you kind of build that out. That’s a completely understandable question to ask.
That might come as a surprise to some viewers, whether or not they themselves were offended by Dave Chappelle’s special (available to stream now with a Netflix subscription), but it sounds like hearing such comments about his partial paralysis isn’t anything new for Cawthorn, who served a controversy-speckled term as a U.S. representative in Congress from 2021-2023. The politician was involved in a serious vehicular crash in 2014, when he was 18 years old, and his injuries were such that the use of a wheelchair was necessary going forward.
To be sure, the stand-up special wasn’t the first time Cawthorn became aware that Dave Chappelle was using the politician’s name for joke purposes during the build-up to and the recording of the Netflix special. Apparently some friends of his were at a Nashville set early on, and were able to let him know. He later went and caught at least one of the sets himself, and can be seen laughing and posing for a picture with Chappelle during The Dreamer's closing credits.
Explaining his rather subdued reaction to jokes about his inability to walk, or about his controversial comments about orgies, Madison Cawthorn stated:
If we’re living in a free society, especially if you are a public figure, people are going to make fun of your flaws and things that you do that are unique to you. Obviously, the fact that I am in a wheelchair is a very unique fact about who I am. So I’m not going to get upset when someone’s imitating me.
Below are some of the jokes that Dave Chappelle made in reference to the former congressman, for those who haven’t watched:
- One time I was on Capitol Hill, and I saw a handicapped Congressman. Madison Cawthorn, that’s his name. He’s a Republican from North Carolina. And he was shocked, because I saw him, and I go, ‘Hello, Congressman.’ He didn’t even know I knew who he was. He turned around — [looks shocked] — and then I just walked away. I wanted him to see me do something he couldn’t do. I skipped.
- He’s no longer a Congressman. I don’t know if you follow politics. I’m not trying to be funny, but he lost his seat. He ran a bad race. [Winks.]
- I said there’s only one reason you’re gonna invite him to an orgy, and you know what that is. [Bends over stool.] ‘Have at it, guys, I can’t feel anything. Let’s get this bill passed for America. One at a time, folks.’
It’s not clear if he’ll go down thinking Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer is one of Netflix’s funniest stand-up specials, but Madison Cawthorn was clearly a fan through and through. While waiting to see who else was or wasn't offended by the comedian's latest act, check out everything new coming to Netflix soon.
