Deon Cole mocked Tourette’s activist John Davidson at the NAACP Image Awards in a moment that’s rapidly escalating online. Critics are accusing the comedian of crossing a line by mocking a neurological condition and adding to the ongoing celebrity outrage against a working class man for an incident he had no control over.
Cole, best known for his work on Black-ish, drew audible gasps during Saturday night’s ceremony when he referenced Davidson’s widely reported BAFTAs incident — an episode tied to the actor’s medically documented Tourette syndrome.
Cole’s Joke Draws Immediate Reaction
During the broadcast, Cole delivered a mock prayer that took aim at Davidson’s condition.
“If there are any white men in the room with Tourette’s, I advise you to tell them to read the room, Lord,” Cole said. “It might not go the way they thinketh. Whatever medicine they on, they better double up on it, Lord.”
NEW: Actor Deon Cole opens up the 2026 NAACP Image Awards with a “prayer” where he mocked John Davidson, a man with Tourette Syndrome.
The room full of celebrities were heard laughing throughout the “prayer.”
“Whatever medicine they on, they better double up on… pic.twitter.com/4fPeINF0Bu
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 1, 2026
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According to reports from the ceremony, the line initially prompted audible gasps before parts of the audience began to laugh and applaud.
The moment quickly spread online, where reaction was far less forgiving.
Critics Say the Joke Crossed a Line
The backlash centers on the fact that Davidson has publicly discussed living with Tourette syndrome since childhood. The condition can include coprolalia — involuntary vocal tics that may involve socially inappropriate or offensive language.
John Davidson – YouTube, Tony McMontana
Following the BAFTAs incident, where Davidson suffered a tic that forced him to yell a racial slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, he stated he was “deeply mortified” by what occurred and emphasized the involuntary nature of the episode.
For many observers, that context makes Cole’s punchline particularly difficult to defend.
Online critics argued the joke amounted to punching down at someone with a neurological disorder — a charge that has become increasingly common in modern comedy debates.
Cole Dismisses the Backlash
Deon Cole has not issued any kind of formal apology for his Tourette’s joke. Instead, he appeared to brush off the criticism in a social media reply.
“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.
Hollywood continuing to mock John Davidson over his Tourette’s condition is one of the most despicable things I’ve witnessed in a long time.
Shame on @deoncole and all those in the audience who laughed at his vile ‘jokes’. What the f*ck is wrong with you???!!! https://t.co/8E8k1zl3Q2— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 2, 2026
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Media personality Piers Morgan was among the most outspoken critics of the moment, blasting both the joke and the audience reaction.
“Hollywood continuing to mock John Davidson over his Tourette’s condition is one of the most despicable things I’ve witnessed in a long time,” he said. “Shame on @deoncole and all those in the audience who laughed at his vile ‘jokes’. What the f**k is wrong with you???!!!”
Jamie Foxx Weighs In
Adding fuel to the fire, actor Jamie Foxx publicly praised Cole’s performance, saying: “@deoncole … brilliant!! You funny af all the time!!!”
Foxx’s support has drawn scrutiny of its own, particularly given his previously reported comments about Davidson.
John Davidson and Robert Aramayo at the BAFTAs – YouTube, Good Morning America
According to prior social media discussion referenced by critics, Foxx stated: “Nah he meant that s**t” when referring to Davidson’s involuntary tic.
Foxx openly dismissed the medical explanation behind Davidson’s BAFTAs incident — despite having no personal knowledge of Davidson’s condition.
A Comedy Line Many Viewers Say Wasn’t Worth Crossing
The broader debate now mirrors a familiar cultural fault line: where exactly the boundary sits between edgy comedy and targeting someone over a documented medical condition.
Even some viewers who typically defend hard-edge stand-up have questioned the optics of the NAACP Image Awards host zeroing in on a neurological disorder that medical experts widely recognize as involuntary.
Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo present at the BAFTAs – BBC
What’s more, these jokes only perpetuate the growing Hollywood narrative that this was anything other than an involuntary tic by a man who suffers from a well-documented neurological condition. There has been a consistent call since the BAFTAs to label Davidson as a racist, a claim that many with knowledge of Tourette’s and its nature are actively pushing back against.
And whether Cole intended the line to land as harmless humor or sharp commentary against Davidson, the reaction suggests a growing portion of the audience simply isn’t laughing.
How do you feel about Deon Cole mocking Tourette’s at the NAACP Awards? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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