Dave Chappelle Returns toSNLwith Another Controversial Monologue: Trump, the California Fires, Diddy and More

Mar. 15, 2025

Dave Chappellereturned toSaturday Night Live, where he shared his thoughts on the latest going on in the world.The comedian, 51, marked his fourth time as host of the late-night sketch comedy series on Jan. 18. He opened the show with anothercontroversial monologue, where he touched on topics includingDonald Trump,Sean “Diddy” Combsand thefires currently affecting California.First speaking about the blazes in Los Angeles, Chappelle said, “The other day on the news, they said these fires were the most expensive tragedy that ever happened in the United States history. I think that’s because people in L.A. have nice stuff. I could burn 40,000 acres in Mississippi for like six or seven hundred dollars.“He then speculated about the conspiracy theories surrounding what started the fires, before he made a reference toLuigi Mangione— the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a shooting outside a New York City hotel — when he spoke about those who “lost their fire insurance” a week before the flames began.Dave Chappelle.Eamonn M. McCormack/GettyChappelle then compared fame to storming the beaches of Normandy during World War II and losing fellow soldiers in battle. “It’s no fun being famous anymore,” he said, explaining that his celebrity friends, including Combs, 55, are being “hit."“A lot of my friends ask me, they say, ‘Dave, did you know anything about those Freak Off parties [that Diddy hosted]?’ ” Chappelle continued, before he joked that he wasn’t invited to the alleged parties because, “Oh my god, I’m ugly.““That’s a tough way to find out,” the star added. “Can you imagine if you were me reading the newspaper finding out everyone in Hollywood had an orgy behind your back?”Dave Chappelle, the L.A. wildfires, Donald Trump.Rosalind O’Connor/NBC; David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty; Spencer Platt/GettyChappelle later turned his attention to Trump, 78, ahead of his Inauguration Day on Monday, Jan. 20. “Donald Trump is coming back. He’ll be the 47thpresident. He’s done it again,” he said.After recalling a story about former presidentJimmy Carter, who died at age 100 on Dec. 29, and the humanity he saw in the politician, Chappelle took aim at Trump, stating, “The presidency is no place for petty people.““Donald Trump, I know you watch the show, man, remember whether people voted for you or not, they’re all counting on you,” he continued.“I mean it when I say this: Good luck. Please, do better next time. Please, all of us, do better next time,” added Chappelle. “Do not forget your humanity and please have empathy for displaced people, whether they’re in the Palisades or Palestine.“Dave Chappelle hosts ‘Saturday Night Live’ in November 2022.Will Heath/NBC via GettyChappelle’s latestSNLhosting gig means he is now just one appearance away from joiningthe show’s Five-Timers Club, which features a star-studded members list that includesWill Ferrell,Tina Fey,Kristen WiigandMartin Short— whobecame the coveted club’s most recent inducteein December 2024.The comedian previously picked up Emmys in 2021 and 2017 for two of his previous turns as host, the latter of which marked the firstSNLepisode after Trump was elected president in November 2016.Chappelle’s latest turn hosting came over two years after he last hosted in November 2022. At the time, he made waves with a controversial opening monologue, whichwas criticized for perpetuating antisemitism.Chappelle’s 2022SNLbacklash alsofollowed widespread criticism of his 2021 Netflix special,The Closer, in which he made several jokes that targeted the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender people.The star’s latest Netflix special,Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer, is currentlynominated for a Grammy Award for best comedy album.Dave Chappelle.Mathieu Bitton/ShutterstockNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Alongside Chappelle, rapperGloRilla— also a 2025 Grammy nominee — appeared on the Jan. 18 episode, making herSNLdebut.Next week,Timothée Chalametwill return to Studio 8H for a third time,pulling double duty as host and musical guest. The actor, 29, is expected to performBob Dylanhits from his newly released biopic about the musician,A Complete Unknown.SNLwill later celebrate its milestone 50th season with a three-hour live primetime special airing on NBC and Peacock on Feb. 16.Saturday Night Liveairs weekends on NBC.

Dave Chappellereturned toSaturday Night Live, where he shared his thoughts on the latest going on in the world.

The comedian, 51, marked his fourth time as host of the late-night sketch comedy series on Jan. 18. He opened the show with anothercontroversial monologue, where he touched on topics includingDonald Trump,Sean “Diddy” Combsand thefires currently affecting California.

First speaking about the blazes in Los Angeles, Chappelle said, “The other day on the news, they said these fires were the most expensive tragedy that ever happened in the United States history. I think that’s because people in L.A. have nice stuff. I could burn 40,000 acres in Mississippi for like six or seven hundred dollars.”

He then speculated about the conspiracy theories surrounding what started the fires, before he made a reference toLuigi Mangione— the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a shooting outside a New York City hotel — when he spoke about those who “lost their fire insurance” a week before the flames began.

Dave Chappelle.Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty

Chappelle then compared fame to storming the beaches of Normandy during World War II and losing fellow soldiers in battle. “It’s no fun being famous anymore,” he said, explaining that his celebrity friends, including Combs, 55, are being “hit.”

“A lot of my friends ask me, they say, ‘Dave, did you know anything about those Freak Off parties [that Diddy hosted]?’ ” Chappelle continued, before he joked that he wasn’t invited to the alleged parties because, “Oh my god, I’m ugly.”

“That’s a tough way to find out,” the star added. “Can you imagine if you were me reading the newspaper finding out everyone in Hollywood had an orgy behind your back?”

Dave Chappelle, the L.A. wildfires, Donald Trump.Rosalind O’Connor/NBC; David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty; Spencer Platt/Getty

Rosalind O’Connor/NBC; David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty; Spencer Platt/Getty

Chappelle later turned his attention to Trump, 78, ahead of his Inauguration Day on Monday, Jan. 20. “Donald Trump is coming back. He’ll be the 47thpresident. He’s done it again,” he said.

After recalling a story about former presidentJimmy Carter, who died at age 100 on Dec. 29, and the humanity he saw in the politician, Chappelle took aim at Trump, stating, “The presidency is no place for petty people.”

“Donald Trump, I know you watch the show, man, remember whether people voted for you or not, they’re all counting on you,” he continued.

“I mean it when I say this: Good luck. Please, do better next time. Please, all of us, do better next time,” added Chappelle. “Do not forget your humanity and please have empathy for displaced people, whether they’re in the Palisades or Palestine.”

Dave Chappelle hosts ‘Saturday Night Live’ in November 2022.Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Chappelle’s latestSNLhosting gig means he is now just one appearance away from joiningthe show’s Five-Timers Club, which features a star-studded members list that includesWill Ferrell,Tina Fey,Kristen WiigandMartin Short— whobecame the coveted club’s most recent inducteein December 2024.

The comedian previously picked up Emmys in 2021 and 2017 for two of his previous turns as host, the latter of which marked the firstSNLepisode after Trump was elected president in November 2016.

Chappelle’s latest turn hosting came over two years after he last hosted in November 2022. At the time, he made waves with a controversial opening monologue, whichwas criticized for perpetuating antisemitism.

Chappelle’s 2022SNLbacklash alsofollowed widespread criticism of his 2021 Netflix special,The Closer, in which he made several jokes that targeted the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender people.

The star’s latest Netflix special,Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer, is currentlynominated for a Grammy Award for best comedy album.

Dave Chappelle.Mathieu Bitton/Shutterstock

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Alongside Chappelle, rapperGloRilla— also a 2025 Grammy nominee — appeared on the Jan. 18 episode, making herSNLdebut.

Next week,Timothée Chalametwill return to Studio 8H for a third time,pulling double duty as host and musical guest. The actor, 29, is expected to performBob Dylanhits from his newly released biopic about the musician,A Complete Unknown.

SNLwill later celebrate its milestone 50th season with a three-hour live primetime special airing on NBC and Peacock on Feb. 16.

Saturday Night Liveairs weekends on NBC.

source: people.com