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Is Taking Money to Perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, Blood Money? // Phillip DeFranco
Phillip DeFranco| Trusted Newsmaker
Is Working the Riyadh Comedy Festival…“Blood Money?” & More…
The latest news cycle has been dominated by controversy in the entertainment world, political turmoil in Washington, and violence in local communities. The Philip DeFranco Show transcript highlights several interconnected stories, ranging from comedians under fire for performing in Saudi Arabia to the looming government shutdown in 2025, and finally, a tragic attack on a church in Michigan. Each story reflects larger tensions around morality, politics, and public safety.
The Riyadh Comedy Festival and the “Blood Money” Debate
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival has attracted a powerhouse lineup of comedians including Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Whitney Cummings, Andrew Schultz, Kevin Hart, and Tom Segura. But the glittering event is overshadowed by heavy criticism. Human Rights Watch has condemned the festival as a propaganda tool to distract from Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses, including repression of free speech and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Shane Gillis revealed that he was offered a lucrative deal to perform but turned it down, calling it “blood money.” He even claimed his pay offer was doubled before he rejected it again. Comedian Tim Dillon, on the other hand, disclosed he was set to earn $375,000 for a single show, with some comedians allegedly offered up to $1.6 million. Dillon was later dropped from the lineup after making jokes about forced labor. Others, like Atsuko Okatsuka, turned down the gig after learning of strict censorship rules barring criticism of the Saudi royal family.
Meanwhile, Bill Burr’s participation shocked many fans and peers. While some comedians defend their decision to perform by citing financial incentives or industry pressure, critics label it hypocrisy for so-called “free speech warriors” to take part in an event where free expression is restricted. For many, the festival has become a symbol of the clash between artistic integrity and financial gain.
Trump, Med Beds, and the Shutdown Showdown
The transcript shifts to U.S. politics, where President Donald Trump stirred controversy by sharing—then deleting—an AI-generated video promoting so-called “med beds.” These fictional medical pods are a staple of QAnon conspiracy theories, believed to cure every illness and even regenerate limbs. The video, framed as a fake Fox News segment featuring Lara Trump, circulated for nearly 12 hours before removal. Critics blasted Trump for fueling conspiracy theories while simultaneously preparing to slash healthcare funding.
This healthcare debate ties directly into the threat of a government shutdown. Senate Democrats refused to back a spending bill that excluded key Obamacare subsidies. Without resolution, millions could face soaring premiums or loss of coverage. Trump, however, appears willing to risk a shutdown, intensifying partisan conflict as healthcare becomes a political bargaining chip.
Portland and the Military Directive
Adding to the turmoil, Trump described Portland, Oregon, as “war-ravaged” and directed military personnel to intervene. The order included mobilizing 200 National Guard members under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Yet local officials, including Governor Tina Kotick, rejected the characterization of Portland as a city under siege. They argued protests near an ICE facility, while sometimes tense, did not justify federal troop deployment. Critics accused Trump of relying on misleading media coverage that exaggerated the scale of demonstrations.
Comey Indicted, Wray Targeted
Former FBI director James Comey was indicted by a grand jury on charges of making false statements to Congress and obstruction. The move came after Trump installed his personal lawyer, Lindsey Halligan, to oversee the case despite objections from career prosecutors. Legal experts say the evidence is thin, raising suspicions of political retribution. Trump celebrated the indictment while hinting more prosecutions may follow, including of Comey’s successor, Christopher Wray. The Justice Department has already debunked Trump’s claims of undercover FBI agents orchestrating the January 6th riot, but the rhetoric persists.
Michigan Church Attack and a Weekend of Violence
The most sobering story in this video is the attack on a Mormon church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. A 40-year-old former Marine drove a truck into the building, opened fire with an assault rifle, and set the church ablaze using gasoline. Police reported multiple fatalities, including the gunman, and warned more victims might be discovered in the wreckage. The attacker’s background as a veteran and community member shocked those who knew him. Authorities are investigating the motive while confirming explosives were found at the scene.
This was one of four mass shootings that weekend. In Southport, North Carolina, a combat veteran opened fire from a boat, killing three. In Texas, a shooting at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino left two dead, including a retired Customs and Border Protection agent. And in New Orleans, one woman was killed and three others injured on Bourbon Street. Together, these tragedies highlight the ongoing crisis of mass shootings across the U.S., with the Gun Violence Archive counting more than 324 incidents this year alone.
Fractures and Polarization
From comedians facing accusations of selling out, to conspiracy theories at the highest levels of government, to the persistence of gun violence, the themes are interconnected: money, power, and public trust. The transcript closes with commentary on America’s growing “internal cold civil war,” where tragedies are weaponized for partisan blame. The reminder is stark: society cannot endure if every crisis is used as fuel for division. The need for accountability, empathy, and cooperation has never been clearer.
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