Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan, the hosts of the progressive podcast I’ve Had It, laughed on a recent episode at a meme that referred to digging up Charlie Kirk. The clip showed them reacting to the line “We’re digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again.”
The moment occurred after the midterm elections, which produced what the hosts described as a blue wave against the Republican Party.
According to Mediaite, the exchange spread quickly online and drew sharp criticism from people who viewed the laughter as inappropriate. Several companies that had supported the show moved to cut ties within days of the clip circulating.
Several companies end their sponsorship deals with the podcast
Cash App was among the first brands to respond. In a Friday post on X, the company said it “does not condone violence of any kind, and we are no longer sponsors of this podcast.”
Pet food retailer Chewy followed the next day with its own statement. The company wrote, “We unequivocally condemn violence in all forms. The comments made by the hosts do not reflect Chewy’s values or what we stand for as a company.”
Zenni Optical also announced it was pulling its advertising. The eyewear brand said it “does not condone violence of any type” and confirmed it had “canceled advertising on I’ve Had It.”
Suitcase maker NOBL Travel replied to a user on X who asked about the company’s involvement. NOBL stated that it had ended its sponsorship arrangement and added, “We do not condone violence or the promotion of violence in any form.”
Bedding company Boll & Branch responded to a customer who said they planned to boycott its products. The company explained that it does not currently sponsor the podcast and will not sponsor it in the future. Kirk-related memes have caused fallout well beyond lost sponsorships, including a Tennessee man’s $835,000 meme settlement.
On Saturday, Welch and Sullivan addressed the reactions in a social media post. They wrote on Instagram, “On Thursday’s show, we laughed at a joke about Charlie Kirk. It was an insensitive joke, and we should not have laughed. We regret it, and we apologize.” The backlash also recalls the free speech fight over a Kirk meme.
The hosts continued, “Whatever our political differences, there is nothing funny about gun violence. We’ve long supported common-sense gun safety reform.” They said they had made a donation to Everytown for Gun Safety, describing it as “the largest gun violence prevention organization in America.” The post closed with the line, “We’ll keep using our platforms to fight for the safety of all Americans.”
I’ve Had It ranks among the larger progressive podcasts, with about 1.8 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.3 million followers on Instagram. The hosts have previously expressed strong criticism of Republican politics, including once calling President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement a “Nazi-style cult.”
Published: Nov 8, 2026 06:00 am