Meghan Markle finds herself at the center of controversy after comedian Dave Chappelle targeted her during a performance in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The glittering lights of Dubai’s skyline set the stage for what was meant to be a night of laughter and entertainment, but quickly turned into a firestorm of outrage.

The audience, a mix of local Emirates and international jet-setters, eagerly settled in as Chappelle began his trademark biting social commentary. However, the mood shifted dramatically when Chappelle turned his focus to the former American actress.

“I’m sorry, I know she means a lot to a lot of people, but I just can’t get behind all this Meghan Markle business,” Chappelle declared to a stunned crowd. He proceeded to unleash a barrage of scathing jokes targeting Markle’s high-profile split from the British royal family, her publicized struggles with mental health, and her and Prince Harry’s decision to step back from royal duties.

As Chappelle’s merciless takedown continued, laughter in the room waned, replaced by uncomfortable silence. It was evident that Chappelle’s remarks had struck a nerve. The backlash on social media was immediate and severe, with many condemning his actions as cruel and unnecessary.

The criticism reached Markle herself, reportedly leaving her enraged and deeply hurt by Chappelle’s remarks. A spokesperson for Markle condemned the comedian’s comments, labeling them as hateful and bigoted, and demanding a public apology.

Chappelle, however, remained unapologetic, defending his jokes as speaking the truth, even if it makes people uncomfortable. He argued that Markle, as a public figure, is fair game for satire.

The fallout from Chappelle’s performance in Dubai has continued to reverberate, with Markle’s supporters rallying to her defense and calling for boycotts of the comedian’s future shows. Meanwhile, Chappelle’s loyal fan base has accused Markle’s camp of trying to silence free speech

As the war of words between the outspoken comedian and the embattled Duchess rages on, one thing is clear: the clash has ignited a firestorm that shows no signs of burning out anytime soon.