Pete Davidson Defends Saudi Arabia Show Despite Pain of Losing His FDNY Father on 9/11

“Saturday Night Live” alum Pete Davidson, son of a New York City firefighter who died during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, has sparked controversy for his decision to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Davidson, along with 49 other comedians, is part of the event that began on September 26 and will continue until October 9.

The roster for the festival boasts big names in the comedy industry, including Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Jimmy Carr, Kevin Hart, and Aziz Ansari, among others. Davidson’s participation, however, has drawn significant attention, given the known fact that 15 out of the 19 terror attackers on 9/11 were Saudi nationals. This raises important questions about the appropriateness of his decision, particularly in light of alleged links between the Saudi government and the attackers, a claim persistently denied by Saudi officials.

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Some comics have criticized the festival, arguing that Saudi Arabia is using the event to improve its global image, despite allegations of human rights abuses. Comedian and actor David Cross, for instance, expressed his disgust at his peers for participating in the event, citing the host nation’s “crimes against humanity.”

It is crucial to note that Davidson’s father, Scott Davidson, was a firefighter with Ladder Company 118 in Brooklyn Heights and died at the age of 33 while responding to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Pete Davidson, who was just seven years old at the time, has often spoken about the impact of his father’s death on his life and his comedic career.

Davidson, during a recent podcast interview, defended his decision to participate in the festival. When asked about the criticism, he replied, “I’ve been getting a little bit of flak just because my dad died on 9/11. So they’re like, ‘How could you possibly go there?’ But I just, you know, I get the routing, and then I see the number, and I go, ‘I’ll go.'”

Other comedians declined the invitation to perform at the event. Comedian Shane Gillis, for instance, turned down a “significant” amount of money to participate, stating, “You don’t 9/11 your friends.”

Some argue that Davidson’s decision to perform in Saudi Arabia, given his personal history, could be seen as an endorsement of the country’s controversial policies. Others contend that as a comedian, Davidson’s role is to make people laugh, irrespective of the location or context.

Davidson’s father’s death and its impact on him have been a recurring theme in his comedy, with the comedian often using dark humor as a coping mechanism. He has also honored his father through his work, most notably in the autobiographical film “The King of Staten Island.”