Dave Chappelle Backlash Over Claim Saudi Has Freer Speech Than U.S.

Dave Chappelle is facing fresh backlash after remarks at the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, where he contrasted free-speech norms in the U.S. and the kingdom.

During his headlining set, Chappelle quipped that “it’s easier to talk here than it is in America,” and referenced conservative activist Charlie Kirk while testing the limits of “cancel culture,” comments that quickly ricocheted online and drew criticism from fellow comics and commentators.

The festival—promoted as the world’s largest—featured a star-studded lineup including Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Pete Davidson, Aziz Ansari, Jo Koy and Louis C.K., among others, and ran under Saudi Arabia’s state-backed entertainment push.

“If Dave Chappelle believes there’s freer speech in Saudi Arabia than the US…he should do an entire set mocking Muhammad there and see how it goes,” one X user tweeted.

“Tell us more about free speech, Dave,” another user wrote. “Comedians performing in Saudi Arabia had to sign contracts containing strict content restrictions prohibiting any derogatory, defamatory, or ridiculing material about the royal family, religion, the government, or the kingdom itself.”

Rights groups argued that participation risked laundering the country’s image despite its record on free expression and the anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s killing. Human Rights Watch urged performers to speak out, calling the event a “whitewashing” amid increased repression.

Critics also highlighted alleged contract restrictions prohibiting jokes deemed derogatory toward the royal family, government or religion—limitations they say undercut Chappelle’s suggestion of a more permissive climate. Bill Maher publicly rebuked the claim, while several comedians and outlets questioned the ethics of performing in the kingdom for large appearance fees.

Supporters of the festival framed it as part of a broader cultural opening. But as clips and quotes from Chappelle’s set spread, the debate intensified over whether high-profile Western acts can meaningfully test boundaries in Saudi Arabia—or merely lend prestige to a tightly managed showcase.