“I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed.” The short, furious line landed on X on Sep 29, 2025, and ignited a wider argument about money, morals and free speech. The remark came as dozens of U.S. comedians played the monthlong Riyadh Comedy Festival, and it pushed an ethical debate from industry group chats into headlines. Public condemnation and defenses spread fast, with payouts and festival contracts now under scrutiny. Who wins or loses when comedy meets geopolitics – and what does that mean for careers this year?
What you need to know about the 2025 Riyadh comedy fallout
- Multiple A-list comics performed at Riyadh Comedy Festival; backlash rose quickly.
- A prominent comic posted a public statement on Sep 29 condemning peers.
- Reports say headline shows offered up to $1.6M; debates over ethics intensified.
Why this quote hit like a bombshell this week and why fans care
The quoted line opened a flood of anger because it came from a peer, not a stranger, and it called out colleagues’ choices in stark moral terms. The short quote was posted right after the festival headliners began returning home, turning private Twitter threads into mass condemnation. Fans and fellow performers asked whether accepting Saudi money erases moral authority on issues like free speech and human rights. If you care about what comedians stand for, this felt like a turning point.
My thoughts on the Riyadh Comedy Festival. https://t.co/yRSj3GjwDt pic.twitter.com/6OFZ0hcQsU
— david cross✍ (@davidcrosss) September 29, 2025
How reactions split into three camps over Riyadh gigs and money
Responses landed in roughly three camps: outraged peers who called the bookings a moral sellout, defenders who praised the experience or shrugged at huge fees, and rights groups warning about image laundering. Each camp frames the same facts differently: payouts as livelihood, artistic exchange, or “blood money.” That tension explains why a single sentence could spark such a broad, emotional backlash. Which side are you on, and does money change your judgment?
While headlining Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Comedy Festival on Saturday, Dave Chappelle deliberated over the do's and don'ts of free speech in America, deeming it "easier to talk" in the Middle Eastern nation than back home in the States:
“Right now in America, they say that if you… pic.twitter.com/ktWcT2pcNN
— Variety (@Variety) October 2, 2025
The numbers that show payouts, reach and reputational risk
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Performers Count | 50+ artists | Festival scale drew global attention |
| Reported Payments | $375,000-$1.6M per show | Large sums raised ethics questions |
| Viral Reach | 1M views on key X posts | Rapid reputation spread online |
Who said the line and why it matters for comedy careers in 2025
The author of the post was revealed as David Cross, the comedian and writer, who published a full statement on his site condemning peers’ participation. In that statement Cross wrote, “I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing,” and urged accountability. Cross’s role matters because he’s a long-standing voice in comedy circles; his denunciation signals a possible reputational cost for headline acts. Will agents, festivals, or sponsors shift bookings after this public rebuke?
What lasts beyond this quote for comics and audiences in 2025?
Expect tighter scrutiny of international gigs and clearer fan calculus about appearance choices. Agents may push morality clauses into contracts, and comics could face sustained reputational filtering. Which careers survive a viral moral reckoning – and who walks away richer but tarnished?
Sources
- https://officialdavidcross.com/blogs/press/my-thoughts-on-the-riyadh-comedy-festival
- https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/dave-chappelle-saudi-arabia-riyadh-festival-free-speech-1236537335/
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-30/riyadh-comedy-festival-begins-with-pete-davidson-bill-burr/105833686
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.