What did Tim Dillon say about Saudi Arabia? U.S. comedian dropped from Riyadh Comedy Festival over controversial remarks 

American stand-up comedian Tim Dillon says he was fired from the Riyadh Comedy Festival for comments he made about the country on Joe Rogan's podcast. During an appearance on the August 30 episode of Joe Rogan's podcast, Dillon claimed that Saudi Arabia relies on foreign laborers whom he called slave labor.

He said,

"Do I have issues with some of the policies towards women, towards the gays, towards the freedom of speech? Well, of course I do. Of course I do, but I believe in my own financial wellbeing, and I always have by the way. If something bad is happening to your left, look to your right."

Dillon also joked that he doesn't mind watching someone get their hand chopped off just to see what it's like, and that he doesn't care if Saudi Arabia "executes" other performers since he's just in it for the money.

Dillon also revealed that he was paid $375,000 to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival.

"I addressed it in a funny way," says Tim Dillon after being fired from Riyadh Comedy Festival

On the September 20 episode of his podcast, Tim Dillon announced that he was fired from the Riyadh Comedy Festival due to his remarks about the country.

"They heard what you said about them having slaves"

Dillon recalled his manager's words and added,

"They didn't like that. I addressed it in a funny way, and they fired me. I certainly wasn't gonna show up in your country and insult the people that are paying me the money."

Dillon also said that his slavery jokes were misunderstood and added,

"I was defending them for having slaves. I literally said, 'Slaves are hard workers and for the most part agreeable. But they didn't like that."

He then clarified his comments and added,

"If I was a slave - not that I want to be one, but if I was and I built this really nice thing. I might say to my slave children, 'Daddy built that.' Apparently this got to the people in Saudi Arabia and they were unhappy about it."

The Riyadh Comedy Festival is an international event scheduled to be held at Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from September 26 to October 9, 2025. The festival will feature more than 15 internationally acclaimed comedians.

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