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douglas9

(5,159 posts)
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 05:35 AM Friday

Dave Chappelle Criticizes Free Speech in America at Saudi Arabia Comedy Festival

Dave Chappelle criticized the status of free speech in the United States while on stage at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia.

The comedian was one of more than 50 performers participating in the event, which has come under fire for being held in a country which has been accused of human rights violations and an oppressive regime.

“Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you’ll get canceled,” Chappelle told an audience of 6,000, according to The New York Times. “I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m gonna find out.” He then added, “It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.”

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dave-chappelle-free-speech-riyadh-saudi-comedy-festival-1236391872/?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=68debdd004d79e00019ee0cb

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Dave Chappelle Criticizes Free Speech in America at Saudi Arabia Comedy Festival (Original Post) douglas9 Friday OP
From the blurb alone, he seems to be criticizing the LACK of Free Speech in America AZJonnie Friday #1
Americans' J_William_Ryan Friday #2
Chappelle seems comfortable with no rights for women delisen Friday #3
Go ahead and insult the royal family MaineBlueBear Friday #4
When someone tells you who they are SocialDemocrat61 Friday #5
Chappelle is going to make comments about the things that other people say are off limits Buckeyeblue Friday #6
The list HAB911 Friday #7
Charlie Kirk Johnny2X2X Friday #8
I'd love to see his tight 10 on Khashoggi's murder Ursus Rex Friday #9
Riyadh Bonesaw Comedy Festival? Seriously? Beaverhausen Friday #10
How does he like the bone saws eShirl Friday #11

AZJonnie

(1,790 posts)
1. From the blurb alone, he seems to be criticizing the LACK of Free Speech in America
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 05:57 AM
Friday

Maybe there's more to his comments, which might back up the headline, but I don't care enough about Chappell to check.

J_William_Ryan

(3,049 posts)
2. Americans'
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 05:57 AM
Friday

ignorance of free speech is the greatest threat to free speech.

Chappelle being one such example.

delisen

(7,145 posts)
3. Chappelle seems comfortable with no rights for women
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 06:39 AM
Friday

At least he is letting us know who he is.

MaineBlueBear

(319 posts)
4. Go ahead and insult the royal family
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 06:43 AM
Friday

and find out, Dave.

I wonder where you'll be- headed to next.

SocialDemocrat61

(5,930 posts)
5. When someone tells you who they are
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 06:47 AM
Friday

believe them. And Chappelle has been telling the world who he is for years now. F*ck him.

Buckeyeblue

(6,048 posts)
6. Chappelle is going to make comments about the things that other people say are off limits
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 07:38 AM
Friday

You may not agree with him. But it's certainly up to him what he says. At the end of the day, he's just an entertainer. He does stand up comedy. He doesn't set policy. He does create laws.

I think some people hold him to a higher standard than our elected representatives.

Johnny2X2X

(23,479 posts)
8. Charlie Kirk
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 09:34 AM
Friday

To people who don't want to read it, he was talking about Charlie Kirk being off limits as a topic in America right now.

Ursus Rex

(445 posts)
9. I'd love to see his tight 10 on Khashoggi's murder
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 11:00 AM
Friday

... you know, just as a test case, but I'd bet he'd need several additional bags for the flight home.

Beaverhausen

(24,665 posts)
10. Riyadh Bonesaw Comedy Festival? Seriously?
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 11:04 AM
Friday

Wasn't it a bonesaw that was used to murder Kashogghi? What the fuck?

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