Jake Paul is floating a deliberately provocative idea—and this time it involves blackface.
During a recent appearance on Theo Von’s podcast, the boxer revealed he’s been contacting makeup artists to craft a response to Druski’s viral skit about conservative women, which many viewers connected to political commentator Erika Kirk. When Von asked if he meant “darker,” Paul confirmed: “Yeah. And just do it back, because why not? Are we on the same playing field?”
Von immediately flagged the inevitable backlash, suggesting Paul would need a prominent Black collaborator to mitigate the controversy. Paul rejected that path entirely. “That’s p***ying out,” he argued. “Doesn’t that make us more prejudiced if we have to partner with someone?”
His defense leaned heavily on colorblind rhetoric. “Druski just dropped this. I fing love it. This is great. This is how humans should be. We should fing make fun of each other. And I don’t see in color. I see in truth and comedy.”
The conversation referenced Justin Trudeau’s blackface scandal and Jimmy Kimmel’s past controversies—though Paul apparently mistook a photo of Kimmel in makeup for Shaquille O’Neal.
https://www.instagram.com/nojumper/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=3efbe390-100a-4e44-a235-bf9b2f2f8743
The context matters: Druski’s sketch already drew conservative ire, including President Trump’s suggestion that Kirk sue the comedian. Paul’s proposed escalation ignores fundamental asymmetries in American racial history. Blackface carries centuries of dehumanizing baggage that Druski’s political satire simply doesn’t approach.
Paul’s Trump support and alignment with conservative media figures contextualizes his impulse to “punch back” against a Black comedian mocking right-wing women. Presenting the scenarios as equivalent reveals either genuine ignorance or calculated provocation—both on-brand for the former Vine star.
Whether Paul follows through remains uncertain. His history suggests he thrives on controversy, but blackface represents a line few mainstream entertainers cross without career-altering consequences. Hopefully clearer heads intervene before makeup gets applied.
