Deon Cole Mocks John Davidson’s Tourette’s at NAACP Award Show as Hollywood Backlash for BAFTAs Incident Continues

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Comedian Deon Cole is facing criticism after making fun of Tourette’s activist John Davidson during the NAACP Image Awards. Many online are upset, arguing that Cole went too far by joking about a neurological condition and unfairly contributing to the backlash against Davidson, who is being criticized for an incident outside of his control.

Anthony Anderson, famous for his role in Black-ish, surprised the audience at Saturday night’s event by mentioning a recent incident involving Pete Davidson at the BAFTAs. This incident gained attention because Davidson has Tourette syndrome, a medical condition that causes involuntary movements and vocalizations.

Cole’s Joke Draws Immediate Reaction

During the broadcast, Cole delivered a mock prayer that took aim at Davidson’s condition.

Cole warned any white men with Tourette’s syndrome present to be mindful of the situation, suggesting things might not go as expected and advising them to take extra medication if needed.

At the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, comedian Deon Cole began the show with a monologue presented as a “prayer,” which included jokes at the expense of John Davidson, who has Tourette’s Syndrome.

The room full of celebrities were heard laughing throughout the “prayer.”

“Whatever medicine they on, they better double up on…

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 1, 2026

The line reportedly caused a noticeable reaction at the event, first with gasps, then with laughter and applause from some in the audience.

The moment quickly spread online, where reaction was far less forgiving.

Critics Say the Joke Crossed a Line

The criticism stems from Davidson openly sharing his childhood diagnosis of Tourette syndrome. This condition sometimes causes involuntary vocal tics, which can include unintentional and potentially offensive language.

After a distressing incident at the BAFTAs where he involuntarily shouted a racial slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo due to a tic, Davidson expressed his deep embarrassment and explained that he had no control over it.

For many observers, that context makes Cole’s punchline particularly difficult to defend.

Critics online said the joke unfairly targeted someone with a neurological condition, a complaint that’s been surfacing more and more in discussions about comedy these days.

Cole Dismisses the Backlash

I’ve been following the fallout from Deon Cole’s recent joke about Tourette’s, and honestly, I’m a little disappointed in his response. Instead of offering a real apology, he seems to be dismissing the criticism with a quick reply on social media. It doesn’t feel like he’s taking the concerns seriously, and frankly, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

“People got to learn how to take a joke. It’s all in fun,” he said.

That response has done little to quiet the controversy and, in some circles, has intensified it.

It’s deeply disturbing to see Hollywood continuing to make fun of John Davidson’s Tourette’s syndrome. Deon Cole and everyone who laughed at his offensive ‘jokes’ should be ashamed. It’s unacceptable and frankly, shocking behavior.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 2, 2026

Piers Morgan, a well-known media figure, was one of the most vocal people to condemn the joke and how the audience responded to it.

He strongly condemned the ongoing jokes made about John Davidson’s Tourette’s syndrome, calling it a deeply disturbing display. He specifically criticized comedian Deon Cole and the audience who laughed at what he considered offensive and inappropriate ‘jokes,’ questioning their lack of empathy and decency.

Jamie Foxx Weighs In

Actor Jamie Foxx further boosted Cole’s performance with a public shout-out, tweeting: “@deoncole … brilliant!! You’re hilarious all the time!!!”

Jamie Foxx’s backing of Davidson has also come under examination, especially considering past statements he’s made about him.

I saw some chatter online, and apparently Jamie Foxx responded to a clip of Pete Davidson dealing with his tic. From what critics are reporting, Foxx basically said, “No, he meant to do that,” which… honestly, didn’t land well with a lot of people. It seems like he was implying Davidson was faking it, and it’s caused a bit of a stir.

Jamie Foxx publicly downplayed the medical reasons given for Pete Davidson’s absence at the BAFTAs, even though he didn’t know anything about Davidson’s health himself.

A Comedy Line Many Viewers Say Wasn’t Worth Crossing

The current discussion echoes a common disagreement about how far comedy can go before it becomes harmful targeting of someone’s health issues.

Even some fans of tough, direct comedy have expressed concern about the host of the NAACP Image Awards focusing on a medical condition that is generally understood to be something people can’t control.

Furthermore, these jokes reinforce the inaccurate idea spreading in Hollywood that Pete Davidson’s actions weren’t caused by his Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological condition he has openly discussed. Since the BAFTAs, there’s been a push to label Davidson as racist, but many experts on Tourette’s are challenging that claim.

It’s unclear if Cole meant the joke to be lighthearted or a criticism of Davidson, but the negative response shows that many people aren’t finding it funny anymore.

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2026-03-02 19:01