Brett Cooper Calls Out Chelsea Handler Over Past Racist Jokes

On May 22, 2024, conservative commentator Brett Cooper retweeted a 2016 Instagram post by comedian Chelsea Handler that referenced Angelina Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt. In the same episode of *The Brett Cooper Show*, Cooper accused Handler of “getting away with racist jokes for her entire career,” played archival clips, and urged her either to apologize or stop speaking publicly.

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Two days earlier, on May 20, 2024, Handler appeared on Deon Cole’s podcast and labeled fellow comedians Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe “racist” and “sexist,” citing jokes about “lynching Black people.” Her remarks sparked immediate backlash. Cooper’s May 22 segment linked that recent criticism to Handler’s earlier material, framing it as a pattern of hypocrisy.

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• Brett Cooper – Host of *The Brett Cooper Show*; former Daily Wire contributor.

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• Chelsea Handler – Stand-up comedian, podcaster, former Daily Wire guest.

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• Shane Gillis – Comedian referenced by Handler.

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• Tony Hinchcliffe – Comedian referenced by Handler.

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• Deon Cole – Host of the podcast where Handler discussed Gillis and Hinchcliffe.

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• Pete Davidson – Mentioned in broader roast controversy.

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• Jay Leno – Source of a 2006 clip cited by Cooper.

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• May 20, 2024 – Handler’s appearance on Deon Cole’s podcast.

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• May 22, 2024 – Cooper’s episode addressing Handler.

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• 2016 – Handler’s Instagram post about Jolie and Pitt’s divorce.

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• 2006 – Clip from Jay Leno’s show referenced by Cooper.

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Cooper summarized his position by stating that Handler’s recent condemnation of Gillis and Hinchcliffe conflicted with her own history of jokes targeting Samoan people, Asian adoptees, and Black individuals. He suggested she either become “the world’s cleanest, most politically correct comic” and apologize, or cease public commentary. Handler’s 2016 post, paraphrased by Cooper, joked about the divorce, and she later responded to a Samoan-related clip with “I don’t know enough about that,” indicating uncertainty about the context.

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Handler’s criticism of Gillis and Hinchcliffe attracted pushback from listeners who questioned her authority to label others racist. Cooper’s counter-accusation framed Handler’s past material as evidence of double standards, reflecting a broader debate over comedic accountability and the role of social media in resurfacing historic content.

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• “Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt… he wants the China; she wants Pax and Maddox. ##sorrycouldnthelpmyself,” — Chelsea Handler, 2016 Instagram post

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• “So I'm sorry, Chelsea, but no, you do not get to sit on your high horse and call out people like Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe for being racist when you yourself have been getting away with racist jokes for your entire career.” — Brett Cooper, *The Brett Cooper Show*

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• “He doesn't know he's gonna be a horrible driver or that he's gonna be amazing at doing nails," Handler could be heard saying in the video.” — Chelsea Handler, 2006 Jay Leno clip

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The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between comedic freedom and public expectations of cultural sensitivity. By resurfacing past jokes through contemporary platforms, both Cooper and Handler illustrate how historical material can influence present-day reputations and shape discourse on what constitutes acceptable humor.

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The sources provide Cooper’s detailed accusations and excerpts of Handler’s past jokes but lack a comprehensive response from Handler beyond a brief “I don’t know enough about that.” No independent verification of the clip origins is offered, leaving the authenticity of some excerpts unconfirmed.

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Cooper concluded by urging Handler to issue an apology or withdraw from public commentary. No scheduled follow-up interview or formal apology has been announced, suggesting that the controversy may persist as additional archival material is examined.

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