Following criticism from the trans community for his perceived transphobic comments in the Netflix special “The Closer,” Caitlyn Jenner has become the latest celebrity to defend comedian Dave Chappelle.
The former “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star responded to a video Chappelle, 48, posted on Instagram in which he claimed corporate interests were attempting to limit his freedom of expression.
“Dave Chappelle is 100% right,” the 72-year-old tweeted. “This isn’t about the LGBTQ movement. It’s about woke cancel culture run amok, trying to silence free speech.”
Jenner added, “We must never yield or bow to those who wish to stop us from speaking our minds.”
Some social media users accused the former Olympian decathlete of speaking from a position of privilege in her comments.
“It’s quite an utterly privileged position you’re in to say you’re not affected by the blatantly transphobic things David said in this special, Caitlyn,” an angry Twitter user said. “We’re not canceling David, rather we’re holding him accountable for what he said.”
Jenner now is a part of the Chappelle defenders crew along with Jon Stewart, 58, Damon Wayans, 61, and transgender comedian Flame Monroe, 42.
The family of Chappelle’s late trans comedian friend Daphne Dorman, whom he discussed in the show, described him as an “LGBTQ ally.”
