Award-winning comedian Dave Chappelle was recently attacked on stage during a performance for the Netflix is a Joke Fest in Los Angeles.An as of yet unidentified man rushed the stage and tackled Chappelle as the comedian's set was coming to a close. According to accounts on social media, the assailant was then immediately handled by a number of security guards. Chappelle did not appear injured and continued with his set. Footage from the aftermath shows the assailant heavily injured, with bruises and a broken arm.

The comedian joined his security and team backstage with the assailant. Chappelle emerged shortly after to finish the show, inviting actor Jamie Foxx on stage to speak. "I thought that was part of the show," Foxx said. The actor later continued, "Listen, I just want to say this man is an absolute genius. We've got to make sure we protect him at all times. For every comedian who comes out here, this means everything. You’re a genius. You’re a legend, and we’re not going to let nothing happen to you." It has been reported that Foxx was among those who accompanied security backstage with the assailant.

News of the incident began circulating quickly and already there are comparisons being made to the infamous Oscars moment involving comedian Chris Rock and actor Will Smith. During the award ceremony, Smith responded to a joke aimed at Jada Pinkett-Smith by stepping on to the stage and striking Rock in the face, before returning to his seat and yelling at the comedian from across the room. The actor, as well as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, became the target of immense backlash shortly after.

The comparison between these two incidents has been partly fueled by reports that Rock, who also attended Chapplle's set and performed afterward, quipped, "Was that Will Smith?" However, a lot of it appears to be discussion surrounding whether or not the assault against Chappelle was inadvertently influenced by Smith's public actions at the Oscars, which many feared would encourage others to behave similarly.

In addition, after Chappelle recovered from the assault, he joked to the crowd at the Hollywood Bowl, "It was a trans man." The response is seeing backlash on social media, with critics arguing that it further demonstrates transphobic views and promotes such views, making them harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. While the comedian has stated he is not transphobic and supports the trans community, several of Chappelle's specials have become the subject of controversy, specifically because they appear to attack and mock members of that community.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Twitter