Jewish comedian goes viral for retort to pro-Trump heckler

A Jewish comedian has gone viral on social media for her handling of hecklers during a set in New Jersey on Saturday, which climaxed when a beer can was thrown at her on stage.

Ariel Elias was performing at Uncle Vinnie’s in Point Pleasant Beach when she briefly quarreled with an audience member who questioned her if she voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

“Here’s a question for you: Why would you ask me that in here, knowing I’m the only Jew in the room? Are you trying to get me killed?” Elias posed.

The heckler then interrupted again: “I can just tell by your jokes you voted for Biden,” to which Elias responded, “I can tell by the fact that you’re still talking when nobody wants you to that you voted for Trump.”

As she proceeded with her set, the heckler’s husband threw a beer can at her, which narrowly missed the comic and hit the wall. She then picked up the beer and chugged it, to the delight of the audience. The couple was then escorted out of the club by security.

A video of the interaction was posted on Twitter by the comedian, garnering 4.5 million views by Sunday.

Here's the clip pic.twitter.com/soeG3dixP4

— Ariel Elias (@Ariel_Comedy) October 9, 2022

The clip attracted the attention of late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who said: “Five stars for this flawless performance.”

Acclaimed comedian and director Judd Apatow applauded the exchange as “well handled” by the “clearly funny and strong” comedian.

Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, Elias admitted that “the set wasn’t going great,” and said she was performing in front of a rowdy, Mexican-themed birthday party.

After the can was thrown, she said she was “relieved” that there was beer left in there. “I knew I had to chug it.”

Elias told Rolling Stone that the club apologized and asked if she wished to press charges against the couple, but refused. She is scheduled to return to the club in April, the report said.

Earlier this month, another Jewish comedian posted a video to social media, which featured an audience member shouting “Free Palestine” at him in the middle of his act.

Sometimes you’re trying to work on your new hour in Omaha but instead you have to talk to a crazy person. Phoenix up next. pic.twitter.com/NhCRviZuGY

— Sam Morril (@sammorril) October 3, 2022

The heckler can then be heard yelling “artists against apartheid” at Sam Morill, who responds, “so you’re against apartheid? What’s your stance on f**king up my show.”

The audience bursts out laughing before booing the heckler. Morill makes another couple jokes at the expense of the disrupter before carrying on with his routine.