Comedian Matt Rife has found himself at the center of controversy after a recent joke about domestic violence in his Netflix special, "Matt Rife: Natural Selection." The comedian, known for his popularity on TikTok and appearances on shows like "Wild N'Out" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," has faced criticism from some viewers for his questionable humor.

In his Netflix special, Rife sparked a heated debate with a joke about domestic violence. The comedian appeared to anticipate the backlash as he followed up the controversial joke by saying, "I figure if we start the show with domestic violence, the rest of the show should be smooth sailing." However, this did little to quell the criticism that soon followed.

The clip of the offensive joke quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread condemnation. People expressed their concerns about the joke's insensitivity and lack of understanding towards such a serious issue. Rife took to Instagram Stories to respond to the backlash, sharing a link to an official apology and offering a solution by directing followers to a site that sells helmets for individuals with special needs to address head trauma.

Representatives for Rife have been contacted by CNN for comment. It remains to be seen how the comedian will address the controversy and whether he will issue an apology.

This incident is not the first time Rife has faced criticism for his comedy. In both 2016 and 2020, he received backlash for offensive tweets, further contributing to the mounting concerns surrounding his content.

Despite the backlash, some of Rife's followers on Instagram have come to his defense, urging him not to back down in the face of criticism. Supporters argue that comedy should be allowed to explore controversial topics, though others contend that there are limits to what can be considered acceptable humor.

In an attempt to shift the focus away from the controversy, Rife took to Instagram on Wednesday to inform his followers that he has two comedy specials available for streaming on YouTube, which can be accessed for free.

The debate surrounding the appropriateness of Rife's controversial jokes continues to rage on, with critics calling for more sensitivity and understanding, while his supporters argue for artistic freedom within the realm of stand-up comedy. Only time will tell how this controversy will affect Rife's career and future comedic endeavors.