David Cross Condemns Comedians Performing at Riyadh Comedy Festival

In a statement on his website on September 30, 2025, comedian David Cross stated he was "disgusted" with fellow comics participating in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Comedy Festival. Cross criticized performers he said he admires, including Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, and Louis C.K., for accepting money to perform at the event, which he called "the definition of 'blood money'". He argued their participation condones a "totalitarian fiefdom" and undermines their credibility on issues like "cancel culture" and "freedom of speech". Cross’s criticism centered on Saudi Arabia's human rights record, referencing the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the repression of LGBTQ individuals.

yahoo.com reported, The Riyadh Comedy Festival, which features over 50 comedians, is part of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" initiative to boost tourism and entertainment. Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch have accused Saudi Arabia of using the festival to "deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations". Other comedians, including Marc Maron and Zach Woods, have also publicly condemned their peers for participating. Despite the backlash, the festival is proceeding as part of the kingdom's broader effort to reshape its global image.