This research investigated the multifaceted dynamics of disparagement humor through the lens of Benign Violation Theory by incorporating the variables of psychological distance as well as the novel variable of punch potential. Drawing on the foundational work of Zillmann and Cantor (1976) and subsequent humor theories, this study explores the interplay between one’s attitudes towards the target of disparagement humor, the punch potential or punch potential of the joke, and the resulting appraisal of humor. The interaction between punch potential and attitudes towards the target was posited to moderate the appraisal of disparagement humor, affecting the levels of amusement or offensiveness, resulting in two hypotheses: increasing the punch potential of disparagement humor would enhance amusement among individuals with a negative disposition towards the target while reducing amusement among those with a positive disposition towards the target and vice-versa. To test these hypotheses, I utilized a between-subjects factorial design, manipulating both the punch potential (low vs. high) and the target of the disparaging humor (e.g., President Joe Biden or Floridians). Participants evaluated the funniness, aversiveness, and personal enjoyment associated with these jokes while also disclosing their political affiliations and attitudes towards Joe Biden. The results revealed that attitudes towards Joe Biden significantly influenced humor appraisal: participants with negative attitudes towards Biden found the disparaging memes more amusing, whereas those with positive attitudes found them more offensive. Contrary to expectations, the punch potential of the jokes did not significantly affect perceived amusement or offensiveness. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of humor theories by highlighting the role of individual attitudes in humor appraisal and suggesting that social context manipulations may require more nuanced approaches to detect their influence. The study's limitations include the operationalization of punch potential and the nature of the stimuli, which may have affected the robustness of the findings. Future research should explore varied manipulations of punch potential, a broader range of humor types, and additional individual difference variables to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying humor appreciation.