It’s been four days since Netflix released ‘The Roast of Kevin Hart‘ and the internet is still buzzing about it! Tony Hinchcliffein particular, it takes heat for what many call a tasteless joke about death George Floyd. And the backlash comes from more than just fans and viewers! Celebrities love it Tamika D. Mallory again Get away from us they expressed their disappointment. Floyd’s family and friends, including his brother, Terrence Floydand a close friend, Stephen Jacksonthey also talk.
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What does Tony Hinchcliffe say about George Floyd?
During his set, Hinchcliffe reportedly talked about George’s brutal death on May 25, 2020. That day, Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes while he was being arrested in Minnesota, as he repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. In 2021, a state jury convicted him of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree murder. His sentence was 22.5 years in prison, and he is serving an additional 21 years for pleading guilty to violating Floyd’s constitutional rights. His death launched a movement against police brutality, called ‘Black Lives Matter.’
Still, despite that context, Tony Hinchcliffe used the gruesome death as a punchline, live on Netflix and Kevin Hart was crying in response.
“The Black community is proud of you right now. George Floyd is looking up at us, laughing so hard he can’t even breathe,” said Tony Hinchcliffe.
Tony Hinchcliffe made a WILD George Floyd joke while grilling Kevin Hart 💀
“The Black community is proud of you… right now George Floyd is looking up at us laughing so hard he can’t even breathe.” pic.twitter.com/33T2anzhja
— Killa 🌺 (@KillaKreww) May 11, 2026
The George Floyd joke isn’t the only reason Tony Hinchcliffe is taking heat. He and Shane Gillis both made jokes about Sheryl Underwood’s husband, who died by suicide in 1990. Additionally, the ‘Kevin Hart Roast’ is reportedly the second roast where Tony cracks a George Floyd joke. He did the same thing in 2024 when he grilled Tom Brady, saying Rob Gronkowski looked like “the last boss in George Floyd: The Video Game,” according to the Star Tribune. So far, it doesn’t appear that Hinchcliffe has experienced any backlash for his latest or previous comics, leaving critics to wonder if he has a pattern.
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Repetition of Family, Friend & Celebrity Reactions to Jokes
Speaking to The Breakfast Club’s Loren Lorosa, Terrence Floyd criticized Tony for presenting his brother’s death as a joke. He said Kevin Hart should have shut up the joke, especially since he attended George Floyd’s funeral in Minnesota. “A lot of it just sounded like argh … it wasn’t fun,” he said. Terrence also pointed out that the daughter of George Floyd often faces the outbreak of disputes that affect her father’s name, especially when the date of his death is approaching.
“This is crazy. We’re devastated but I’m focused on my nephew’s well-being,” said Terrence.
Meanwhile, George Floyd’s best friend, Stephen Jackson, also spoke about this joke on social media. Second, he emphasized that no one can tell another if they are offended. “Everybody laughs…until their family member gets killed, it’s not funny,” he said in the video. He called the practice “clown sh*t,” adding that he traveled to 29 states, marching on his brother’s behalf in real time and would not be told what to do. In his post, Jackson added:
“Forever gone ride brother. If you don’t like me or disrespect my brother Unfollow is what you have to do. I don’t give an af*ck. Respect it or check it out and no one cares about sh*t here. Wallahi. Your opinion doesn’t matter to me. Go ahead. Ciabatta still comes on the 1st of the month regardless 😂.”
In addition, Get away from us took to social media in a video, expressing his disbelief that “a group of white colonialists” disrespected George Floyd and made a joke about his death. “I’m very confused by the Black people who were sitting there watching it and laughing. Nobody stood up? Nobody said…that’s what I’m saying, I’m leaving?” he said.
As mentioned, Tamika D. Mallory also issued a statement criticizing Tony Hinchcliffe’s jokes. He said there was “nothing funny” about George’s murder.
“To allow that white man or any other person to stand up and disrespect us, while laughing, is disgusting. One of the reasons Black people continue to have VIOLENT attacks against our rights, is because some of us think the whole thing is a joke. It was not funny at all.”
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Has Kevin Hart ever talked about the George Floyd Jab?
As already mentioned, Kevin Hart was one of many at the roast who laughed when Tony Hinchcliffe used George Floyd and his death as punchlines. After the event, Hart took to Instagram to applaud all the comedians who came out. He said the event went as planned. Roasts, by Kevin, should be “Sarcastic, endless jokes with no effect. That’s the idea of frying, you go hard or go home.” As for Tony Hinchcliffe, Hart said:
“Tony Hinchcliffe f*cking understood the role. Not as tiresome as he always is, but funny. You can’t be emotional. You have to understand what a great king’s role is. Everyone got out there and did their king thing.”
Since that video on Monday (May 11), Kevin Hart has made seven more posts on his Instagram feed promoting the roast. He did not directly address the backlash surrounding the George Floyd joke. Even so, his comment sections are full of talk about it.
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What do you think Roomies?
