Bill Maher calls out Dave Chappelle over Saudi Arabia free speech claim

“Actual Time” host Invoice Maher shouted comic Dave Chappelle on Friday for trivializing freedom of expression in America throughout his efficiency on the Riyad Comedy Pageant in Saudi -Arabia final week.

“Dave Chappelle … was within the press right now and stated which you could converse extra freely right here than in America,” Maher instructed comic Louis CK, who will carry out on the Saudi Comedy Pageant on Monday.

CK laughed and admitted: “I do not know if that’s true.”

Chappelle says it’s simpler to talk freely on the Saudi -Arabian Comedy Fest than within the US, brings Charlie Kirk

“Oh, it isn’t true,” stated Maher. He added that if Chappelle actually believed that Saudi Aarabia had fewer limitations on free speech than America, he who ought to have examined that declare by doing a routine in regards to the Prophet Mohammed.

Comic Invoice Maher on the Set of HBO’s “Actual Time” on Saturday 3 October 2025. (Screenshot/HBO)

Responding to Maher’s suggestion, CK shortly clarified that Chappelle is a Muslim – “So it depends upon who you might be and what you need to discuss.”

Invoice Maher encourages People to unconditionally assist free speech, don’t keep away from nice -Britain

In response to the New York Instances, Chappelle instructed an viewers of round 6,000 folks: “In the meanwhile in America they are saying that for those who discuss Charlie Kirk, you’ll be canceled. I do not know if that’s true, however I’ll uncover it.”

The Times reported That Chappelle was met with “Whoops, cheers and applause” after telling the gang: “It is simpler to speak right here than in America.”

Dave Chappelle throughout SNL Promos on Tuesday January 14, 2025. ((Photograph by: Rosalind O’Connor/NBC through Getty photographs))

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Comedians who carry out on the competition have turn out to be below fireplace in latest weeks, even these pushback from fellow comedians, who claimed that Saudi Arabia used the speeching occasion to enhance the worldwide picture regardless of alleged human rights violations.

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In an announcement on his web site, comic and actor David Cross shot his colleagues to take part within the occasion, referring to the “crimes towards humanity” of the host nation.

Cross referred to accusations that the Saudi authorities has helped 9/11 hijackers, that Crown Prince Bin Salman reportedly ordered the homicide of journalist Jamal Khashoggi of 2018 and the document of the Kingdom on LGBTQ and girls’s rights.

Cross wrote that he was “disgusting and deeply disillusioned on this complete gross factor”, and accused the members of approving “a totalitarian mortgage for … what, a fourth home? A ship? Extra sneakers?”

Shane Gillis stated he took a “precept stand” by rejecting an “essential” provide to carry out on the Saudi comedy competition. (Christopher Polk/ By way of Getty Photos)

Throughout a latest episode of the “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast”, comic Shane Gillis revealed that he was provided a “appreciable” quantity to carry out on the occasion, however refused the job. He stated that the organizers of the competition have doubled their provide, however he rejected them once more.

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“I took a precept,” stated Gillis. “You aren’t 9/11 your mates.”

FOX Information Digital reached from Chappelle representatives for remark.

Ashley Hume from Fox Information has contributed to this report.