Trump's war on comedy threatens free speech for all

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Trump’s war on comedy threatens free speech for all
Facing Trump’s attacks, Arab American comedians navigate fear, backlash and pressure to stay silent

By Dean Obeidallah
Published November 6, 2025 9:00AM (EST)


(Salon) For more than 20 years, comedians appearing in the New York Arab American Comedy Festival, which I co-produce — have been making jokes about American presidents. In fact, we were mocking then-President George W. Bush in the midst of the so-called “war on terror.”

Not once since our festival began in 2003 did any of the Arab American comedians fear that telling jokes about Bush — or any president — could come with a cost. Nor should it. Comedians telling jokes about politicians, including the president, are as American as apple pie and the whoopee cushion — that is, until this year’s festival.

We are now confronted with a war on comedy led by President Donald Trump and an administration that has, by design, created a climate of fear and self-censorship. Every autocrat begins by silencing their country’s artists — because laughter is the enemy of fear. From Egypt to Russia, the first voices targeted are often comedians and satirists. What begins as punishing a joke quickly becomes quelling dissent.

For the first time in our 22-year history, some comedians appearing in this year’s festival have expressed concerns about telling jokes that mock Trump. They fear it could result in losing bookings, or even being fired from jobs. As the agent for one Arab American comedian put it, telling jokes that target the president is “too much of a risk in the current climate.” ...........(more)

https://www.salon.com/2025/11/06/trumps-war-on-comedy-threatens-free-speech-for-all/