As the one-year anniversary of Charlie Kirk's assassination approaches, several comedians have begun publicly criticising fellow performers for jokes and comments made about his death, reigniting a broader debate over the limits of comedy and free speech. The controversy has drawn in high-profile figures including Pete Davidson, Jimmy Kimmel and DC Comics writer Gretchen Felker-Martin, with reactions ranging from social media backlash to professional consequences, and has raised wider questions about the influence of government and broadcasters over what comedians can say publicly.

Davidson sparked criticism for a joke referencing Kirk's death during Netflix's "Roast of Kevin Hart" in May, prompting comedians Michael Loftus and Bryan Callen to accuse him and others of cowardice and poor taste. Jimmy Kimmel was briefly suspended by ABC in September 2025 after erroneously suggesting Kirk's alleged killer was a MAGA supporter, before being reinstated amid a row involving Disney, the FCC and free-speech concerns, with over 400 entertainment figures including Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep signing a supportive open letter. Separately, Felker-Martin's "Red Hood" comic series was cancelled by DC Comics over incendiary posts about Kirk, while comedians such as Trevor Noah steered their commentary towards gun control rather than censorship debates.