Dave Chappelle told an audience in Saudi Arabia on Saturday that “it’s easier to talk here than it is in America,” during his performance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. The comedian’s appearance has sparked controversy given Saudi Arabia’s role in the 9/11 attacks, the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and its record on human rights and anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Chappelle’s remark appeared to be a response to criticism from fellow comedians and activists. Marc Maron had earlier expressed outrage, saying in a stand-up bit: “From the folks that brought you 9/11… the same guy that’s gonna pay them is the same guy that paid that guy to bone-saw Jamal Khashoggi.” Others objected on free speech grounds after comedian Atsuko Okatsuka revealed strict contract terms she said required her to “adhere to censorship rules.”
Chappelle also referenced the current climate in the US, saying: “Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you’ll get canceled. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m gonna find out.” The Riyadh Comedy Festival, which runs until October 10, features a lineup including Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Buress, Bill Burr, Louis C.K., Whitney Cummings, Pete Davidson, and others.
Reactions online have been mixed. Some fans expressed disappointment, with one writing: “To sign a contract specifying what you can and can’t talk about and then go complain about free speech… Dave dead to me.” Others defended Chappelle, noting that the US sells billions of dollars of weapons to Saudi Arabia, and that both Presidents Biden and Trump have engaged with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
