Chappelle explains why he said he'd give Trump a chance during his 2016 'SNL' monologue

Comedian Dave Chappelle defended his 2016 remarks astir giving President Donald Trump a accidental during an interrogation published successful Variety connected Wednesday, arguing that it was however helium felt astatine the moment. 

"A acceptable similar that is similar a photograph. That’s what it felt similar successful that moment. Now, if it ages good oregon not, I don’t get huffy if I look astatine a representation due to the fact that it’s not today. That’s what it was astatine that time, and successful that consciousness I'm good with them… You mightiness look astatine an aged acceptable and cringe, but you could conscionable cringe due to the fact that of however you were astatine that time, and you tin ever retrieve your sets from the wrong out," Chappelle told comedian Mo Amer for Variety's "Actors connected Actors" series, erstwhile asked however helium felt astir his "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) monologue.

The comedian hosted the first SNL occurrence aft Trump's 2016 triumph and said astatine the time, "I'm going to springiness him a chance, and we, the historically disenfranchised, request that helium springiness america 1 too."

Chappelle hosted SNL aft erstwhile President Biden's 2020 triumph and close earlier Trump was inaugurated again successful 2025. His 2020 monologue didn't see immoderate jokes astir Biden, but took a fewer shots astatine Trump.

Comedian Dave Chappelle defended his 2016 SNL monologue during an interrogation with Variety. (Left: (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Jazz At Lincoln Center), Right:  (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images))

DAVE CHAPPELLE'S LATEST NETFLIX SPECIAL PANNED BY LIBERAL CRITICS: 'TERRIBLY ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED'

Chappelle wished Trump "good luck" connected SNL successful January aft his 2024 victory.

"The presidency is nary spot for petty people. Donald Trump, I cognize you ticker the show. Man, remember, whether radical voted for you oregon not, they’re each counting connected you. Whether they similar you oregon not, they’re each counting connected you," Chappelle said. 

The comedian besides urged the president to bash amended adjacent time.

"I mean it erstwhile I accidental this: Good luck. Please, bash amended adjacent time. Please, each of us, bash amended adjacent time. Do not hide your humanity, and delight person empathy for displaced people, whether they’re successful the Palisades oregon Palestine. Thank you precise much!" helium said.

Dave Chappelle during SNL Promos connected Tuesday, January 14, 2025. ((Photo by: Rosalind O'Connor/NBC via Getty Images))

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Chappelle addressed the 2016 comments astir the president successful 2017, and said helium was "sorry" for suggesting radical springiness him a chance, according to reports.

Reports cited MSNBC host Willie Geist quoting the comedian astatine an lawsuit successful New York City astatine the time.

"I was the archetypal feline connected TV to say, ‘Give Trump a chance.’ I f------ up. Sorry," helium said, according to Geist. 

Chappelle besides spoke to "Variety" astir performing connected SNL and revealed helium ne'er does his existent monologue during rehearsals. 

Dave Chappelle performs during a midnight pop-up amusement astatine Radio City Music Hall connected October 16, 2022, successful New York City. (Jason Mendez/Getty Images for ABA))

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"For me, rehearsal is conscionable ‘How’s the sound?’ It’s truthful overmuch unit connected unrecorded television. But the joyousness of doing that amusement for maine is the monologue. What a acquisition for a stand-up to beryllium capable to bash what helium does connected unrecorded tv connected specified a revered level similar ‘SNL’ is," helium said.

"It’s ever exhilarating," helium added. "It’s a small terrifying, but conscionable a little. You ne'er bash arsenic bully arsenic you deliberation you’re going to do, but it’s ne'er that bad. The hardest 1 was possibly the 1 erstwhile Biden got elected, due to the fact that we didn’t cognize helium was going to beryllium president until Saturday morning. So I had a acceptable for if Trump won, and I had a acceptable for if Biden won."