Podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan apologized and made a donation to Everytown for Gun Safety after they were criticized for laughing at a social media post joking about burying Charlie Kirk.
The hosts of Welch’s podcast “I’ve Had It” faced backlash on Thursday for their reaction to a series of social media posts mocking conservative views on abortion, vaccines, and LGBTQ+ policies. One post Welch read aloud said, “Whether you’re single or practicing abstinence, it doesn’t matter. Grab the person closest to you and do whatever you want to do. I’ll pay for the abortion.” She then laughed while reading a follow-up post that said, “Let’s dig up Charlie Kirk and do it again.”
Welch referred to the authors of these posts as “patriots,” saying, “These are patriots. These people make me feel patriotic.” The hosts also made unproven claims about the suspect in a recent shooting incident.
Apology and Donation
In a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday, the hosts addressed the controversy. “We laughed at a joke about Charlie Kirk on Thursday’s show. It was a thoughtless joke, and we shouldn’t have laughed,” the statement read. “We are sorry. Gun violence is never a laughing matter, no matter one’s political views. We have long supported common-sense gun safety reform.”
The statement confirmed that the hosts had donated to Everytown for Gun Safety, which they described as “the largest group working to prevent gun violence in the United States.” They added, “We will continue to use our platform for the safety of all Americans.”
Criticism Follows Hosts' Comments
The hosts faced immediate criticism for their comments. Following the broadcast, Sullivan stated, “The only thing is he got shot by a huge MAGA supporter.” Welch added, “He got shot by a MAGA supporter, a white, white MAGA family.”
Fox News Digital reported that records show the suspect, Tyler Robinson, was not registered with any political party and did not vote in the last two general elections. Robinson and his family live in Washington County, Utah, where 75% of residents voted to send former President Donald Trump back to the White House.
Conservative activist Riley Gaines posted on X, “These are demons who are hateful and bloodthirsty, who genuinely believe they are morally superior to you.” Influencer Colin Rugg wrote, “They will celebrate your death and laugh uncontrollably while still firmly believing they are the ‘good people.’”
David Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, told Fox News Digital, “If Madison Avenue stopped funding this kind of garbage content, that content would go out of business.” Democratic strategist Kaivan Shroff also criticized the hosts, saying it was frustrating to see them treated as the voice of the Democratic party. “Has there been a single person either of them has persuaded to vote for a Democratic candidate?” Shroff asked. “They do not help the party. They are stealing the attention that voters give the party through actual votes.”
Unanswered Questions
Welch and Sullivan did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The hosts had previously declined to comment on the matter during their broadcast.
What’s Next for the Podcast
The incident has drawn significant attention to the podcast and its hosts.
