Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet is pushing back against podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan and comedian Dave Chappelle following recent remarks mocking the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Fox News Digital reported.
We’re asking don’t celebrate, condone or glorify political violence. Don’t be happy when someone’s assassinated.
The controversy stems from an episode last week of the “I’ve Had It” podcast, where Welch and Sullivan laughed uncontrollably while reading an online post that stated, “We’re digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again” during a segment celebrating Democratic victories in the 2026 midterms.
Pro tip, an apology is for the other person,
Kolvet said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
It is for people that you’ve aggrieved and hurt. It’s not for you, unless you’re a narcissist. And then I guess it is about you. So, that was pretty shocking.
He added that Welch’s apology ended up doing more harm to her and her podcast than good, and he rejected her assertion that the boycott movement was Turning Point USA attempting to wage war on her podcast, telling her, Nobody’s done this to you, Jennifer. You’ve done this to yourself.
Jennifer Welch is doubling down on her feud with Turning Point USA, even as sponsors distance themselves from her podcast following a joke about Charlie Kirk's assassination. The liberal podcaster is calling TPUSA members "losers" and insists her apology for laughing at the joke… pic.twitter.com/DYflZW14Jy
Corporate Sponsors Drop Podcast Following Viral Segment
Several corporate sponsors have dropped the podcast in the wake of the viral segment. Kolvet stated that neither he nor Turning Point USA orchestrated the boycott movement, describing it instead as a grassroots reaction from consumers.
I’m generally not pro-cancel culture, but I also believe that these brands get their own free speech,
Kolvet said, adding that companies have every right to distance themselves from individuals who celebrate the murder of an innocent person over politics. These brands get to have the speech to say, ‘I don’t want to be associated with somebody that celebrates the murder of an innocent man because of his politics.’
Kolvet also stated, I’m not asking for Jennifer Welch to be imprisoned. I’m not asking for her to not have a show or to be able to express her opinions.
He further remarked, All I’m saying is it’s not that hard. Don’t celebrate political violence. Don’t laugh at it. Don’t rub it in our faces that one of the most important people in the conservative movement in the country for Gen Z was murdered in cold blood. Don’t do it. Don’t be a ghoul, don’t be vile, don’t spew that venom and don’t perpetuate that culture.
He added, Cause when you do, you’re participating in something very dark and brands, consumers, Americans all have a right to say what they feel about your antics and your behavior.
Kolvet additionally stated, I don’t expect you to listen to me but maybe, just maybe you will listen to all those brands who no longer want to be associated with you.
Addressing Welch’s insistence that she would never sit down with him, Kolvet maintained that he remains open to a private conversation. Despite her petty
insistence, Kolvet said he would totally sit down with her.
He elaborated, I wouldn’t do it for content. I would sit down in a closed-door space, and my heart would be open, and I would be generous and gracious to her and hope that it would be a fruitful conversation,
adding that his expectation for it was infinitesimally low
but he would be open to it.
He cited Charlie Kirk’s own history of engaging with ideological opponents, noting that Kirk was willing to talk to anybody. He was willing to talk to people that hated his guts.
Kolvet noted that Kirk wanted those conversations because he knew that once conversations stopped happening, that’s when violence happens,
describing debate as an escape hatch
and a release valve for the tensions in our culture.
Kolvet Criticizes Dave Chappelle's Remarks on Political Violence
Kolvet also criticized comments made by Dave Chappelle at Madison Square Garden, where the comedian told the crowd that he feel[s] better
following Kirk’s assassination. While noting he had no intention of policing Chappelle’s speech, Kolvet called the remarks deeply troubling.
Drawing a historical comparison, Kolvet recalled the national reaction to the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, noting that even amid intense media hostility toward Reagan, political violence was universally condemned and comedy routines mocking the event failed to land.
We need to be kind to our fellow Americans,
Kolvet said. Political violence is not something to be toyed around with, and our culture literally depends on us having a bright line right there.
