The audience at comedian Dave Chappelle’s comedy show in San Francisco booed Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Sunday when he was invited on stage.
A crowd of approximately 18,000 people erupted into a mixture of cheers and boos as Chappelle introduced the “richest man in the world” to the stage at the Chase Center. This reaction led Chappelle to spend several minutes attempting to ease the boiling tension in the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for the richest man in the world,” Chappelle said, prompting Musk to enter the stage.
The boos got visibly louder as Musk waved the crowd with the microphone in hand. The comedian then mocked the boomers.
“Cheers and boos, I see. Elon…” Chappelle said.
“Hey Dave,” Musk replied, prompting a mixed response from the audience.
“It looks like some of the people you fired are in the audience,” Chappelle replied. “All those people who are booing, and I’m just pointing out the obvious, you have terrible seats.”
Chappelle joked about “titty bars” in space and about the possibility of opening up the first comedy club on Mars once Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, reaches the planet.
“Thanks for having me onstage,” Musk replied.
As more boos erupted, Musk asked Chappelle what he should say. The comedian, appearing to grow exponentially more frustrated at the audience, replied that he should reply with no response and said the audience’s reaction is one of “civil unrest.”
“Dave, what should I say?” Musk said, clearly desperate and getting embarrassed at the roar of booing.
“Don’t say nothing. It’ll only spoil the moment,” Chappelle said. “Do you hear that sound, Elon? That’s the sound of pending civil unrest. I can’t wait to see what store you decimate next, motherfucker. You shut the fuck up.” (RELATED: ‘Prosecute Fauci’: Musk Takes Aim At Outgoing NIAID Director)
“I wish everyone in this auditorium peace and the joy of feeling free,” Chappelle said, seeking to ease the tension in the crowd. “And your pursuit of happiness. Amen.”
Musk has become an increasingly divisive figure since his $44 billion purchase of Twitter earlier this year and his official Oct. 27 takeover. Prominent left-wing celebrities, including music legend Elton John, have departed the platform after major layoffs at the company and the alleged increase in hateful speech.
Democratic California Reps. Adam Schiff and Mark Takano wrote a letter addressed to Musk Thursday asking what Twitter executives intend to do about the alleged uptick in hate speech with citations from the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Anti-Defamation League to point to the alleged “slurs” and rhetoric. Musk disputed the claims by reporting a drop in hate speech by one-third since October 20.