What did Theo Von say about Druski's skit? Blackface debate erupts over podcaster's wish to copy comedian's NASCAR skit

Comedian and podcaster Theo Von recently sparked an online debate about blackface versus whiteface after he commented on fellow comedian Druski's whiteface-themed NASCAR skit.

For the uninitiated, Druski attended a NASCAR event in Darlington on August 31, 2025, fully dressed in whiteface as "That Guy who is just Proud to be AMERICAN.' He completed the look with denim overalls, a mullet, a full beard, and an American flag-inspired cowboy hat.

In the skit, Druski, whose real name is Andrew Desbordes, is seen enjoying smoking and drinking with white people, singing Born in the U.S.A., immersing himself in the national anthem, and spitting at the feet of black people. On September 2, 2025, Druski posted the skit on his X account, and the video quickly went viral, reaching over 155 million views as of this writing.

Following the video's popularity, Theo Von quote-tweeted the post and expressed his wish to copy the sketch in blackface, writing:

Von's remarks sparked a discussion about blackface in his comments section, with several netizens pointing out that blackface is offensive and has racist connotations, unlike whiteface.

According to CNN, blackface originated nearly 200 years ago after white American minstrel performers began painting their faces black (usually with shoe polish or cork) to imitate and denigrate enslaved Africans working on Southern plantations.

The shows often depicted black people as lazy, ignorant, or hyper-sexualized, creating a demeaning caricature that caused lasting damage to the black community and downplayed the horrors of slavery in the United States.

Netizens accused Theo Von of equating blackface with whiteface, questioning why the comedian wanted to copy Druski's joke among other viral skits.

Meanwhile, others argued that "whiteface" is not a thing and doesn't exist.

Druski's "Coulda Fest Tour" will kick off this month

Druski's international arena tour, titled "Coulda Fest Tour," will kick off in London on September 13, 2025. According to Billboard, the tour will feature appearances from artists like Navv Greene, Soulja Boy, Young M.A, Snoop Dogg, and Lil Yachty.

In a press statement announcing the tour, the comedian promised fans a "cultural movement full of laughs, great music and surprise guests," adding:

“Coulda Fest was such a vibe that we had to run it back and switch up the concept — it’s bigger, better and breaking global borders. This won’t be your typical comedy or music tour, it’s going to be a cultural movement full of laughs, great music and surprise guests. I’m always looking to take ideas to the next level, so you never know who else might pop up in your city.”

The international tour kicks off at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on September 13, with shows scheduled in cities such as Toronto, Detroit, Washington, D.C., New York, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and San Francisco. The final show is set for the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on December 6.

In other news, Druski recently responded to the backlash his NASCAR sketch received on social media. While many appreciated the video, some found it controversial due to his "whiteface."

However, the comedian seemed unfazed by the reactions, as he posted a video on Instagram on September 4 of himself lighting a cigarette while walking down a hallway, set to James Brown's It's a Man's Man's Man's World. The video was captioned, "AM I CANCELLED?????"

About the author

With a strong love for the English language cultivated from a childhood filled with reading, Juhi aims to take her readers on a literary journey with every word she writes.

When she's not busy putting her pen to paper, Juhi can be found indulging in her hobbies, such as embroidering and crocheting, while binge-watching TV shows.

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Edited by Juhi Marzia