Kevin Hart is in Tony Hinchcliffe‘s corner after the controversial comic was blasted for a George Floyd “joke” many believe to be racist during Kevin’s roast … and he wants people to quit beating him up for Tony’s punchline.

As you know … Hinchcliffe was torn apart by some comics and the family of George Floyd after he made a tasteless joke about Floyd, as well as quips about lynching and the suicide of comedian Sheryl Underwood‘s late husband.

Kevin disagrees with the haters, telling “The Breakfast Club” … Tony is not a racist, and he was fine with the Floyd line in the context of a roast.

Chelsea Handler, who was also a part of Kevin’s roast, was one of the most prominent voices to call out both Tony and event MC Shane Gillis as racist … and said they ruined the night.

Floyd’s family blasted both Tony and Kevin … and were especially upset since that was the second roast in a row in which TH made a joke about Floyd, also making light of his death during Tom Brady‘s roast.

But again, Kevin said those mad at him were out of line … and he revealed he even Floyd’s pal Stephen Jackson after the roast to discuss Hinchliffe’s joke. He did not say how Stephen reacted.