Pete Davidson stands by performing at Saudi Arabia comedy festival after FDNY father’s 9/11 death
Pete Davidson is standing by his decision to perform at the Riad Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, more than two decades after his father, New York City firefighter Scott Davidson, was killed in the September 11th terrorist attacks. The 31-year-old Saturday Night Live alum is one of 50 comedians in the lineup for the festival, which began September 26th and runs through October 9. The roster includes some of the biggest names in comedy. Dave Chappelle, Louis CK, Jimmy Carr, Kevin Hart, Sebastian Maniscalo, Aziz Ansari, Andrew Schultz, Whitney Cummings, and Hannibal Burus. Pete was asked about the festival during a September 23rd appearance on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast. And here is what he said. I’ve heard there’s subreddits of like I think all these people are in bed with that. Um, I just, you know, I get the routing and then I see the number and I go, I’ll go. Okay. Okay. I’ve been getting a little bit of of flack just cuz like my dad died 9/11. So they’re they’re like, “How could you possibly go there?” David Cross recently eviscerated fellow comics playing in the Starry Riad Comedy Festival and posted on his site last week about the Saudi Arabian Fest being buil as the world’s largest comedy festival, sharing, “I am disgusted and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing that people admire with unarguable talent would condone this totalitarian thief for what? A fourth house, a boat, more sneakers.” He added, “You’re performing for literally the most oppressive regime on Earth. This is truly the definition of blood money. Your hypocrisy will never not be noted.” Some comics have also condemned the festival, arguing Saudi Arabia is using the high-profile event to polish its global image despite alleged human rights abuses. Cross also added, “There’s not enough money for me to help these depraved, awful people put a fun face on their crimes against humanity.” In addition to Davidson, Louis CK recently defended joining the festival as well, stating that this is a positive thing and a great way to get in and start talking.
David Cross recently eviscerated fellow comics playing the starry Riyadh Comedy Festival — including big names like Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Bill Burr, Kevin Hart and Whitney Cummings — but Pete Davidson defended the move.
Cross posted on his site last week about the Saudi Arabian fest being billed as “the world’s largest comedy festival,”“I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing… That people I admire, with unarguable talent, would condone this totalitarian fiefdom for… what, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers?”
He added, “These are some of my HEROES! Now look, some of you folks don’t stand for anything so you don’t have any credibility to lose, but my god, Dave and Louie and Bill, and Jim [Carr]? Clearly you guys don’t give a s – – t about what the rest of us think, but how can any of us take any of you seriously ever again?
“You’re performing for literally, the most oppressive regime on Earth… This is truly the definition of ‘blood money’… your hypocrisy will never not be noted.”
Davidson’s dad, NYC firefighter Scott Davidson, was killed in the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
Read more at https://pagesix.com/2025/10/06/celebrity-news/take-the-cash-for-petes-sake/
#petedavidson #saudiarabia #riyadhcomedyfestival
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25 Comments
Sellouts.
Greed can make you shameless, it can make you serve those with no humanity or respect for Human life. Tragic
Why does anyone care about Pete Davidson?!?! I just don't get it!
Yeah, lost all respect for that guy the moment I heard this. You couldn’t pay me enough to preform in front of the people who had a hand in murdering my parent and countless other innocent people that horrible day.
Definitely sold his soul
You dropped nu Kes the ONLY ones if they had anything to do with it why you went 2o years to Afgha!istan and Pak!istan and Yemen?! Go over your prop b!igotry and rac;ism?
Only one with an image problem is you 😂😂 blood money who's word games from greedy racist bigots neocolonialst
600,000$ ASSnotREAL working greasing pockets keep you as the isolated loner sch ool sho oter kid bravo b!igots and rac!ist worse than Naxis and kk€k ?!
Always knew Pete was dumb but it is obvious he is a terrible son too
"What's the frequency, Kenneth?"
People are quick to judge Saudi Arabia for opening up and investing in entertainment, yet the same critics would line up if the offer came their way. At least Saudi Arabia is using its resources to build culture, not destroy it.
Wow, what a garbage person Pete is. Way to sully his dad’s legacy. Gonna be like meh when he finally hangs himself
I hope Pete stops telling people his dad died on 9/11. The poor man REALLY DIED when his child went and danced for his murderer.
I can imagine them dudes in saudi Hey you want to see what power i got … i bet you a ferrarri that i can get the child of a 9/11 victim to come here and clow around for us …… Thats crazy ..
You dropped nu Kes the ONLY ones the only country to do so and after they surrendered?!!if they Saudi had anything to do with it why you went 2o years to Afghanistan and Pakistan and Yemen?! Go over your propaganda bigotry and racism your glitching on f00x narrative when it suits you 😂😂😂
"Big D!ck Energy " Arianna Grande. BUT NO BALLZ ⚾️🥎 ⚽️⚾️ 🏀🏐
Was the festival sponsored and organized by the Saudi government? Or were the organizers directly involved in 9/11? I'm curious and trying to find clarity.
Pete has said that once he sees the 💵 come in, he goes for it.
They took his dad away from him . He went over to entertain them anyways. Money talks and morals run marathons I guess
Sellout…everyone's got a price I guess…..last thing I'd do is take money for the group that funded 911. Loser
They should stand up for females over there where they get killed for nothing plus they did should say something to there faces but there scared
Let’s stop looking to these celebrities as moral compasses. They’re all bought and are full cogs in this capitalist system, as are most of us. If you were in their shoes you’d likely do the same given the opportunity.
Pete's a sellout. He's done. I can't listen to him anymore.
@buach82 sell out of what ? Your racist bigoted club? Where is the membership list ? When did he sign up to anything with you if you are idiot to not tell how this vid is inc iting you have. Comprehension issues or your own agenda🙄🙄😤
@UhtredBerserker a berserker saying women get ki lled over there … According to you? So not your country not your ppl ? Proof honey the world knows you ki ll women every news channel true crime doc +++ daily multiple not one them 😂😂😂