Dave Chappelle Slams U.S. Free Speech, Praises Saudi Arabia While Talking Charlie Kirk at Controversial Comedy Festival
Dave Chappelle via Netflix
Comedian Dave Chappelle took a swing at the United States during a set at the controversial Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia.
Chappelle performed for an audience of 6,000 this week as a headline act for the festival, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. The festival has already received plenty of backlash, with critics citing Saudi Arabia’s lack of civil liberties and rights.
Comedians like Kevin Hart and Bill Burr are performing at the festival, while others have revealed they turned down big paydays. Shane Gillis said he rejected a “significant bag” to appear at the festival, calling it a “principled stand.” The festival began on Sept. 26 and runs through Oct. 9.
During Chappelle’s set, he knocked the United States and said it was “easier” to talk in Saudi Arabia, citing people getting “canceled” for “talking” about Charlie Kirk. Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel faced a brief suspension by his network after a comment related to the recent assassination of the conservative activist.
“Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you’ll get canceled,” Chappelle told the Saudi crowd, according to The New York Times. “I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m gonna find out.”
The comedian added, “It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.”
The Times reported that political humor, especially aimed at the United States, appeared to go over well at the festival, while anything that leaned into sexual humor did not.
“Oh, sex jokes don’t land in Riyadh. Got it,” Cipha Sounds reportedly said after making a joke about air-dropping nudes and getting a lukewarm reception.
Human rights activists have noted that the comedy festival is occurring at the same time the Saudi government is cracking down on free speech. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka came forward and revealed she turned down an offer to perform. She also provided alleged details from the contract, which prohibits “any material considered to degrade, defame, or bring into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, embarrassment, or ridicule” Saudi Arabia.
