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Jennifer Welch & Angie Sullivan Apologize For Laughing At “Insensitive” Charlie Kirk Joke On Podcast: “We Regret It”
Developing story first seen 4 hours ago
Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan have apologised for laughing at a joke about Charlie Kirk’s killing, saying it was insensitive and that they regret it. Their statement followed criticism and several advertisers withdrawing support from their podcast, I’ve Had It.
The joke appeared in Thursday’s episode as the hosts read social media posts about the midterm elections. They read, “We’re digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again,” while trying to hold back laughter. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot on 10 September 2025; the hosts also said they had donated to Everytown for Gun Safety.
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In short
- The podcast hosts apologised for laughing at a joke about Kirk’s killing.
- Several advertisers withdrew support after the episode drew criticism.
- Welch and Sullivan announced a donation to Everytown for Gun Safety.
How this story developed
- 2 hours ago Podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan apologised after laughing at a joke about Charlie Kirk’s killing, saying it was insensitive and that they regretted it.
- 2 hours ago Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan have apologised for laughing at a joke about Charlie Kirk’s killing, saying it was insensitive and that they regret it. Their statement followed criticism and several advertisers withdrawing support from their podcast, I’ve Had It.
Full account
Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, co-hosts of the progressive comedy podcast I’ve Had It, have apologised after a joke about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk prompted criticism and the loss of advertiser support. In a joint statement posted to Instagram on Saturday, they said they had laughed at the joke during Thursday’s episode, described it as insensitive and said they regretted doing so.
The exchange came as the hosts read social media posts about the results of the 2026 midterm elections. One post referred to digging up Kirk and killing him again; both hosts laughed as they read it. The segment was later removed from the episode, though it continued to circulate online. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025.
In their statement, Welch and Sullivan said political disagreements did not make gun violence a subject for humour. They said they had donated to Everytown for Gun Safety, which they described as America’s largest gun-violence-prevention organisation, and pledged to continue using their platforms to support the safety of Americans.
The apology followed advertiser withdrawals. Cash App said on Friday that it no longer sponsored the podcast and condemned violence. Chewy said it did not sponsor or support the show, and that the hosts’ comments did not reflect its values. The reports also describe a wider backlash from Kirk supporters, though they give different levels of detail about the companies’ responses.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
The first report names Cash App, Chewy and other advertisers as having pulled support, while the second gives statements from Cash App and Chewy specifically and does not identify additional companies.
The second report notes that the segment was removed from the episode and reshared online; the first focuses on the hosts’ reading of the post and the reaction from Kirk supporters.
The reports both describe the apology and Everytown donation, but the first frames the statement against the loss of advertisers, while the second provides more detail about the sponsors’ public explanations.
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The case for
The hosts’ apology recognises that joking about a person’s killing can cause real hurt, regardless of political differences, and that public figures have a responsibility to treat such violence with care. Advertisers may reasonably decide that the joke conflicts with their values or risks alienating listeners, while criticism can signal that a line has been crossed.
The case against
The hosts may be seen as reacting to a post about a political figure in the context of a programme discussing elections, rather than endorsing violence or threatening anyone. Critics and advertisers should still allow room for political satire and imperfect humour, and withdrawing support can impose a substantial penalty for a brief remark, particularly after the hosts have acknowledged its impact and apologised.
Explained simply
Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a US political organisation that works with young people and supports conservative causes. He was shot and killed on 10 September 2025. Everytown for Gun Safety is a US group that campaigns to reduce gun violence.
I’ve Had It is a podcast hosted by Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan. Podcasts often rely on advertising, so companies can withdraw their support if they object to a programme’s content. The episode referred to the US midterm elections, which are elections held halfway through a president’s four-year term to choose members of Congress and some state officials.