Dave Chappelle mocked comparisons between conservative activist Charlie Kirk and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. in a surprise Netflix special released Friday.

After Kirk’s shooting death, some on the right began comparing his life and death to that of King, who was assassinated in 1968. Media personality Glenn Beck, for example, called on cities to name streets after the founder of Turning Point USA, proclaiming him “as much a civil rights leader as Martin Luther King.”

“That’s a reach,” Chappelle said in a clip that circulated widely on social media. “You know, they were both murdered in a terrible way. They were both shot in the neck. But that’s where those similarities ended.”

Dave Chappelle, left, expressed some skepticism about Charlie Kirk being similar to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dave Chappelle, left, expressed some skepticism about Charlie Kirk being similar to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Arturo Holmes via Getty Images and Andrew Harnik via Getty Images

Calling Kirk a “damn Internet personality,” he asked the crowd: “Can you imagine if Dr. King acted like Charlie Kirk?”

The comedian then launched into imitating King’s recognizable voice speaking in the slang of an online influencer.

“‘Smash the like button and subscribe!'” Chappelle shouted. “‘Follow me for more content like this! I think all black people should be free, change your mind!’”

Martin Luther King Jr. in a screenshot from CBS delivering his famous
Martin Luther King Jr. in a screenshot from News delivering his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.

News Photo Archive via Getty Images

Kirk was not a big fan of King in the years before his death. Although he had previously praised King, in 2023 he called him “horrible” and someone who simply “said something good that he didn’t actually believe,” Wired reported at the time. Kirk also said he believed passing the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a “big mistake.”