Dave Chappell says that free speech is being attacked in America on stage in Saudi Arabia

Dave chapel claimed that Free speech in the United States is under threat Whereas On stage at Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia.

Stand-up comedian, 52, To agree to perform in the country, was strongly criticized by fellow comics.

As the new York TimesThe chapel appeared in front of the 6,000 audience and commented: “Now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, you’ll be canceled. I don’t know if it is true, but I am going to find out.”

He said: “It is easy to talk in America.”

Chappell later said that he is worried about returning to the United States because “they are going to do something with me so that I can’t say what I want to say.”

Dave Chappell at Lincoln Center Gala in New York in April 2025 ,Michael Lokizano/Getty Images for Jazz at Lincoln Center,

Human Rights Watch The Riyadh Comedy Festival is described as Saudi Arabia’s latest attempt, “to draw attention from its cruel oppression of free speech and other comprehensive human rights violations.”

Festivals held in Saudi Arabia’s capital from 26 September to 9 October More than 50 major comediansChapel, Kevin Heart, Louis CK, and including Bill boar,

Many headlines, including British comedians Jimmy Carr, Omid Patelie and Jack Whitehall, are called “Cellouts” to participate in the Saudi state-provided program in view of the death of journalist Turkish al-Jasar, and reported an increase in execution for non-cups and drug-related crimes, and an increase in execution for non-crib and drug-related crime. Long jail sentence for social media posts.

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In June, the Saudi regime carried out journalist Al-Jasar for “high treason”. He was imprisoned in 2018 and sentenced to death on allegations of terrorism and high treason. Allegations arising from writing on a blog And a newspaper.

Comedian David Cross, who said that he was not asked to perform on the festival, wrote in a statement shared on Instagram: “I am disgusting, and is deeply disappointed in this whole thing.

“Those people whom I praise, with rude talent, will conduct condon for this totalitarian jagir … what, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers?”

David Cross said that he was 'disgusting' by fellow comedians, who had chosen to participate in the state-funded festival — David Cross said that he was ‘disgusting’ by fellow comedians, who had chosen to participate in the state-funded festival ,Getty,

Cross called specific names from the lineup, which included comedy giant Chapel, CK and Bur.

“Clearly you guys do not give as *** what the rest of us think, but how can any of us take any of you seriously?” Cross said.

“All your B **** ‘Culture Culture’ and ‘Freedom of speech’ and all that ***?

The contract Comedian was required to sign, which is widely aired, including stipend that does not make fun of religions or Saudi royal family.

earlier this year, A video of Chapel, who made fun of the tariff schemes of President Donald Trump, went viral on social media.