Rob Schneider caused a stir at a recent hospital fundraiser in Canada with his controversial jokes. The comedian’s set at the Hospitals of Regina Foundation’s Four Seasons Ball on June 1 included jokes that were described as “transphobic, misogynistic and anti-vax” by attendees. The audience was visibly uncomfortable and groaned at the content of the jokes, leading to Schneider being booed and ending his set early. The hospital issued a statement denouncing his remarks, stating that his opinions did not align with their values.
While the exact content of Schneider’s jokes is unknown, it was severe enough to prompt a response from the Hospitals of Regina Foundation. The organization emphasized that comedy is intended to be edgy, but Schneider’s set did not meet the expectations of the audience and their team. They explicitly stated that they do not condone or endorse his positions, as expressed during his performance. Schneider himself has not addressed the backlash on social media, and his representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In the past, Schneider has been vocal about his political views, including skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines. He has referred to the vaccines as “experimental gene therapy” and encouraged people to say no to them. Despite his statements, the CDC has affirmed the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. Schneider has also criticized his former employer, “Saturday Night Live,” for their handling of political topics, such as a sketch featuring Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton singing “Hallelujah.”
Attendee Tynan Allan expressed disappointment in the Hospitals of Regina Foundation for not doing thorough research on Schneider before booking him for the event. Allan noted that Schneider has a history of making anti-vax and transphobic comments, and it would not have been difficult to vet him based on his values. Despite the controversy surrounding Schneider’s performance, the Hospitals of Regina Foundation still managed to raise $350,000 for the city’s hospitals during the fundraiser. The organization did not respond to requests for comment regarding the event or the backlash.
