Minneapolis Comedy Club Cancels Comedian Ben Bankas' Sold-Out Shows Over Controversial Jokes

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A Minneapolis comedy club abruptly canceled six sold-out shows by right-wing comedian Ben Bankas after a viral clip of his stand-up routine, in which he mocked a woman who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, ignited outrage. Bankas responded bluntly to the cancellations, telling the audience "F--k 'em" and saying he is working on finding a new venue in Minnesota.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions around free speech and political correctness in comedy. While some view Bankas' jokes as offensive, others argue that comedy should not be censored, even for controversial topics. The cancellation also raises questions about the role of venues in policing comedic content and the extent to which they should cater to public backlash.

The details

Bankas had been scheduled to perform six sold-out shows at the Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul, Minnesota from January 30 to February 1. However, the club pulled the plug on his performances after a viral clip surfaced of Bankas making jokes about Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother of three who was killed during an encounter with federal immigration authorities earlier that month.

• Bankas was scheduled to perform six sold-out shows at the Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul, Minnesota from January 30 to February 1, 2026.
• The club canceled the shows after a viral clip of Bankas' stand-up routine, in which he mocked Renee Nicole Good, surfaced in early January 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Bankas is working on finding a new venue and dates for his shows in Minnesota after the Laugh Camp Comedy Club canceled his six sold-out performances.