Dave Chappelle: Michelle Wolf’s White House correspondents’ dinner speech was ‘cathartic’

Dave Chappelle on Monday defended fellow comedian Michelle Wolf for her controversial White House correspondents’ dinner speech, saying he thought it was “cathartic.”

“I don’t know who those people think they are that she can’t say that to them, cause they offend people all the time. And I think that for many people … it’s cathartic to watch that woman speak truth to power like that,” Chappelle told “PBS NewsHour.”

Chapelle said Wolf deserves respect, whether or not you agree with what she said.

“But it was very flat-footed and it was grounded in her truth and whether I agree with it or not, I gotta respect the artistry. I gotta respect the gangsta,” Chapelle said.

{mosads}

Chappelle also said he knows how hard it is to get in front of a “lame” or difficult crowd but applauded Wolf for holding her own.

“I think she nailed it. I thought it was beautiful,” Chappelle said. “I didn’t see her pander once and I thought that was beautiful.”

Wolf targeted more than just President Trump at Saturday’s annual gala.

She also hit Vice President Mike Pence, Hillary Clinton, Ivanka Trump, Democrats, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and senior presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway.

Despite backlash, Wolf stood her ground on Monday.

“I wouldn’t change a single word that I said. I’m very happy with what I said, and I’m glad I stuck to my guns,” Wolf said.