Shane Gillis Sparks Controversy with ESPYs Monologue Targeting Caitlin Clark and Trump
So, last night’s ESPYs took an unexpected turn when comedian Shane Gillis stepped onstage to host — and let’s just say, it didn’t take long before things got... awkward. From the jump, it was clear Gillis wasn’t planning to play it safe. He rolled out a ten-minute monologue that had the crowd at the Dolby Theatre laughing one minute and groaning the next — and at times, even booing.
Right off the bat, Gillis botched the name of WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, calling her “Deanna.” The camera cut to her — clearly not amused. He quickly corrected himself, but it set the tone for what was to come: edgy, unfiltered, and polarizing.
But the moment that really got people talking — and gasping — was a joke aimed at Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Referring to Clark’s on-court altercations this season, Gillis said, “When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she's going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most — fist-fighting Black women.” The crowd’s reaction was mixed — a few laughs, but a noticeable wave of discomfort settled over the room. Clark wasn’t there — she’s currently recovering from a groin injury — but the jab still landed hard.
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From there, Gillis continued with equally sharp punches — making jokes about Donald Trump staging UFC fights on the White House lawn and tossing in a reference to Jeffrey Epstein that he jokingly said was “deleted.”
Social media, of course, exploded. Some praised his boldness and appreciated the digs at Trump, but many others called him out for the racially charged joke about Clark, especially in a climate where WNBA players are already facing online abuse. It’s worth noting that Gillis has a track record here — he was dropped from Saturday Night Live back in 2019 over past racist and homophobic remarks. Though he’s since re-emerged in the comedy scene, moments like this remind people of why his name tends to spark controversy.
He did manage to land a couple of safer, well-received jokes — like a jab at NBA champ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, saying everyone near him was in “foul trouble,” which got a genuine chuckle. He also poked fun at 73-year-old Bill Belichick’s much younger girlfriend, saying, “A bookie is what Bill reads to her before bed.”
Before walking off stage, Gillis smirked and said, “That went about exactly how we all thought it was going to go. I don’t know why this happened.” Honestly? Neither do a lot of people watching.
It’s a reminder that comedy can still be a minefield — especially when it punches down. And when you’re on one of sports' biggest stages, words don’t just disappear into the mic. They echo.
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