Dave Chappelle Says ‘SNL’ Producers Forbade Him From Talking About Gaza And Trans People

deadline.com:

Just a month removed from his recent Saturday Night Live appearance, where he delivered an over 15-minute monologue, Dave Chappelle said he was forbidden by the late-night show’s producers from speaking on two topics.

Per SFGate’s senior culture editor Dan Gentile, who saw the comedian at the first of his three San Francisco stand-up appearances at the Masonic, Chappelle alleged he was not allowed to speak about Gaza and transgender people.

NBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The former stipulation presents a shocking instance of censorship, given that Chappelle has previously deemed the crisis a “genocide,” something Western media has been reluctant to do despite alarm bells by organizations like Amnesty International.

Despite this, Chappelle’s monologue did mention Palestine, as his closing moments called for greater empathy from everyone, including President Donald Trump. “The presidency is no place for petty people, so Donald Trump — I know you watch the show — man, remember, whether people voted for you or not, they’re all counting on you; whether they like you or not, they’re all counting on you.