Bill Maher pushed back forcefully against fellow comedian Dave Chappelle on Friday, calling Chappelle’s comments about free speech in the U.S. “stupid” and using the moment to take aim at what he sees as out-of-touch celebrity activism.
The exchange stems from Chappelle’s appearance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia last October, where he suggested that it was easier to speak freely there than in the United States. Maher previously mocked the remark on his HBO show Real Time, prompting Chappelle to lash out in his latest Netflix special, The Unstoppable.
On Friday’s episode of Real Time, Maher said he stood by his criticism.
“Dave Chappelle lashed out at me last month because I called him out for saying there was more free speech in Saudi Arabia than here,” Maher said. “Well, I was right. What he said was stupid.”
In The Unstoppable, Chappelle dismissed Maher’s criticism as “smug, cracker-a– commentary.” He also told audiences that comedians in America risk being “canceled” for discussing controversial figures, adding that “it’s easier to talk here than it is in America,” a line that reportedly drew cheers and applause.
Maher revisited those remarks, noting that while the U.S. has real free speech issues across the political spectrum, comparing it to Saudi Arabia was absurd.
“If you really believe that,” Maher said, “try doing a routine about the Prophet Muhammad there.”
He went on to argue that basic freedoms taken for granted in the U.S. would not be tolerated in Saudi Arabia, citing examples such as opening a lesbian art gallery or wearing a shirt proclaiming Christian beliefs.
“America has many problems,” Maher said. “But it’s not Saudi Arabia.”
The late-night host then widened his critique to celebrities who use their platforms for political activism, echoing a famous rant by Ricky Gervais at the 2020 Golden Globes, where Gervais accused Hollywood elites of being disconnected from everyday life.
“Celebrities don’t know about the real world,” Maher said, arguing that public figures are increasingly viewed as extensions of the Democratic Party and are hurting the cause they claim to support.
While acknowledging that celebrities often mean well, Maher mocked symbolic activism such as wearing pins or ribbons for social causes, suggesting it has little real-world impact.
“I know it’s very important to you that you feel like you’re making a difference,” Maher said. “So let me assure you, you are — you’re making independents vote Republican.”
