Podcasters Face Ad Pulls After Laughing at Comments on Charlie Kirk Murder
Brands distance themselves from ‘I’ve Had It’ podcast after hosts laughed at online comments about Charlie Kirk’s death, sparking backlash and apology.
5 min read
Several brands have distanced themselves from the ‘I’ve Had It’ podcast following backlash over its hosts’ reaction to online comments about the murder of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative political figure. The controversy emerged after the podcasters, Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, laughed at a post that referenced ‘digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again,’ a comment that sparked outrage and led to multiple advertisers pulling their support from the show.
Podcasters React to Post-Election Comments
Following the significant blue wave in the midterm elections, Welch and Sullivan discussed the results in their Thursday episode, reacting to various post-election online posts. The hosts read and laughed at several comments, including one that read, ‘YOUR BABY IS HAVING SEX CHANGE SURGERY AND WILL THEN BE ABORTED,’ which they found humorous. Welch remarked, ‘MAGA’s so stupid…they will take every single one of these literally,’ highlighting the political divide in how such content is perceived.
One comment that particularly drew attention was, ‘we’re melting cis white guys down for scrap metal,’ which Sullivan commented on with a sarcastic ‘I wish it was that easy.’ The hosts also made light of a post that stated, ‘It seems we are not, in fact, Charlie Kirk,’ prompting further laughter and reinforcing the perception that they were mocking the seriousness of the situation.
Reactions to the Joke About Charlie Kirk
The controversy escalated when the hosts laughed at a post that read, ‘we’re digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again.’ The comment, which was later removed from the episode posted on YouTube and Spotify, prompted a 20-second burst of laughter from the hosts. However, they did not comment on the post directly, instead asserting that Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a ‘MAGA person’ from a ‘white MAGA family.’
NEW: Cash App has severed ties with the 'I've Had It' Podcast after hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan laughed uncontrollably at the thought of digging up Charlie Kirk's corpse and killing him again. Cash App says they are no longer a sponsor of the show. Just 20 minutes… pic.twitter.com/L6BqOYQeMv
The reaction to the podcasters’ behavior was swift, with multiple brands announcing they would no longer advertise on the show. These included the eyewear brand Zenni, the financial app Cash App, and the life insurance company Ethos. Ethos released a statement on Saturday, saying, ‘We don’t condone or align with the comments made on the ‘I’ve Had It’ podcast. What was said on this show doesn’t reflect our values, and we don’t condone violence in any form. We’ve ended our advertising relationship and won’t be working with them moving forward.’
Podcast Apologizes and Donates to Gun Violence Prevention
In response to the backlash, the ‘I’ve Had It’ podcast released a statement on Instagram, apologizing for their reaction to the joke about Charlie Kirk. They acknowledged that ‘there is nothing funny about gun violence’ and expressed regret for their actions. The hosts also stated their support for common-sense gun safety reform and made a donation to Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in America.
We don’t condone or align with the comments made on the “I’ve had it” podcast. What was said on this show doesn’t reflect our values, and we don’t condone violence in any form. We’ve ended our advertising relationship and won’t be working with them moving forward.
The incident also drew attention from Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who took on the role of CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) following his death. She condemned the jokes about his murder, calling it ‘beyond disgusting.’ In a statement on Sunday, she said, ‘To see leftist podcasters, comedians, and commentators laugh about political assassination as though it’s entertainment and the destruction of a human life is a punchline, is beyond disgusting.’
Thank you for raising this! Zenni does not condone violence of any type. We have canceled advertising on I’ve Had It and are reviewing our podcast placements against our brand safety standards.
Comedian Dave Chappelle also made a comment about the situation, reportedly stating during a show in New York City over the weekend that he felt better ‘ever since that guy Charlie Kirk got murdered.’ His remarks further fueled the controversy, as they were seen as trivializing the tragic event.
Background on the Murder of Charlie Kirk
Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk during a speaking event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on September 10, 2025, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated murder. If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty. Fox News previously reported that, based on Utah voter registration records, Robinson is not affiliated with a political party and did not vote in the past two general elections.
To see leftist podcasters, comedians, and commentators laugh about political assassination as though it’s entertainment and the destruction of a human life is a punchline, is beyond disgusting. My husband, Charlie Kirk, was killed in an act of political violence, something our…
The case has sparked broader discussions about the intersection of politics and violence, with many questioning the role of media and public figures in shaping public perception of such events. The incident has also raised concerns about the responsibility of content creators to handle sensitive topics with care and respect.
As the fallout continues, the ‘I’ve Had It’ podcast faces the challenge of rebuilding trust with their audience and advertisers. The episode’s removal from major platforms and the brands’ decision to distance themselves from the show highlight the gravity of the situation and the potential long-term consequences for the hosts and their audience.
Source: OANN
