David Cross Condemns Fellow Comedians Taking Lucrative Gigs at Saudi Arabia‘s riyadh Comedy Festival
LOS ANGELES, September 27, 2025 – Comedian David Cross has publicly expressed his dismay over several american comedians performing at the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, a move he characterized as a betrayal of principles given the country’s human rights record and alleged ties too the 9/11 attacks. The festival, which concluded last Friday, drew criticism for offering substantial payouts to performers despite ongoing concerns surrounding Saudi Arabia’s governance.
The controversy centers on the ethical dilemma faced by comedians weighing financial gain against moral considerations. A recent federal judge’s ruling allowing a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia by 9/11 victims’ families to proceed has further intensified scrutiny of those participating in events hosted by the kingdom. The situation highlights a growing debate within the comedy world about the boundaries of artistic freedom and the responsibilities of performers when accepting engagements from governments with questionable human rights records.
Cross’s criticism was leveled specifically at Pete Davidson, whose father, a firefighter, died in the 9/11 attacks. Davidson acknowledged receiving “flak” for his participation, explaining on Theo Von’s podcast that the substantial paycheck ultimately swayed his decision. “I’ve been getting a little bit of flak just because my dad died (in) 9/11,” Davidson said.”So they’re like, ‘How coudl you possibly go there?’ … I get the [flight] routing, and then I see the number, and I go, ‘I’ll go.'” He framed his decision as a personal one, stating, “You don’t 9/11 your friends,” suggesting a loyalty to fellow comedians.
Another comedian, Tim Dillon, reported being removed from the festival lineup after a previous joke referencing Saudi Arabia’s use of forced labor resurfaced. Dillon’s manager informed him, “They heard what you said about them having slaves. They didn’t like that,” according to Dillon. He revealed his potential earnings from the festival would have been $375,000, underscoring the significant financial incentives offered to headlining comedians.
The festival’s emergence and the reactions it has provoked signal a potential shift in the landscape of international comedy touring, forcing performers to confront challenging questions about their values and the implications of accepting lucrative offers from controversial regimes.The lawsuit brought by 9/11 families seeking to prove Saudi involvement in the 2001 attacks continues to move forward, adding another layer of complexity to the debate.
