While the 68th Grammy Awards featured the usual red carpet fashion and performances by top musicians, it stood out from previous ceremonies due to its strong focus on political themes.
Several celebrities at the awards show—including the winners—used their platform to publicly criticize President Donald Trump and his administration.
Comedian Trevor Noah, who hosted the event, faced criticism and a possible lawsuit from Donald Trump after making a joke that seemed to connect the former President to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.
Following the fatal shootings in Minneapolis last month, many prominent individuals also spoke out against the Trump Administration’s policies on immigration, which have faced strong criticism.
During their Grammy acceptance speeches, multiple award-winning artists spoke out against tough federal actions in cities across the U.S. and voiced their support for immigrants.
Several other celebrities wore round, white “ICE OUT” pins, similar to those seen at last month’s Golden Globes awards show.
Recent political statements made at a Sunday event are part of a growing trend of opposition to federal immigration policies within the music industry. Last week, Bruce Springsteen released a song about Minneapolis criticizing the Administration’s actions and performed it at a benefit concert in the city, with proceeds going to the families of shooting victims Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Other artists, like Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande, have also voiced their opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and shown support for related protests.
Here’s who made a statement against Trump’s immigration crackdown at music’s biggest night.
Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny made history at the Grammys on Sunday, winning three awards, including the coveted Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos. He’s the first Latin artist ever to win that top prize in the show’s 68-year history, also taking home awards for best global music performance and best música urbana album.
When Bad Bunny accepted the award for best urban music album, he playfully shouted “ICE out!” before thanking God, which got a big reaction from the audience.
We’re not brutal, inhuman, or otherworldly – we are simply people, and we are Americans,” he said. “It’s hard not to feel anger right now, and I was thinking about how we sometimes get affected by negativity – it’s like hate breeds more hate. It’s difficult to explain, but it spreads.
That night, when accepting the album of the year award, he gave a speech largely in Spanish, dedicating it to everyone who had left their home country to pursue their dreams.
Bad Bunny’s comments come a week before he is set to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show.
Donald Trump criticized the Super Bowl’s choice of performers, Bad Bunny and Green Day, both of whom have been critical of him, calling it a “terrible choice” that would “sow hatred.” Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told right-wing podcast host Benny Johnson that ICE agents would have a strong presence at the Super Bowl, suggesting that only law-abiding Americans who love the country should attend.
Bad Bunny, a supporter of Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, has announced his 2025-2026 tour without any stops in the United States. He explained this decision was due to concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might raid his concerts.
He told i-D magazine that people from the US, including Latinos and Puerto Ricans, were welcome to attend the show, and could travel anywhere internationally. However, they were worried about the potential presence of ICE officials outside the venue.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas, took home the Song of the Year award for “WILDFLOWER.” This marks the third time they’ve won the award, making them the first artists to achieve this feat.
“No one is illegal on stolen land,” Elish said as she accepted the honor with Finneas by her side.
She admitted it was difficult to find the right words, but expressed feeling hopeful and determined. She urged everyone to continue advocating for change through protests and speaking out, emphasizing that people’s voices – and the people themselves – are what truly matter. She then expressed strong opposition to ICE with a brief expletive, for which she apologized.
Both Eilish and Finneas wore “ICE Out” pins.
As a big fan of Billie Eilish, I’ve been following her recent outspokenness, and it’s really impressive. After hearing about the deaths of Good and Pretti, she took to social media to basically challenge other celebrities to use their platforms and speak out against ICE’s actions in Minneapolis. It felt like a really direct call to action, like, ‘Are you with us or not?’
Olivia Dean
The British artist, who won the award for best new artist on Sunday and had a number one hit in 2025, used her acceptance speech to advocate for immigrants.
In a heartfelt speech, Dean, whose parents are from Britain and Jamaica-Guyana, shared that she is the granddaughter of an immigrant. She emphasized that she is a result of her ancestors’ courage and believes they deserve recognition, stating, ‘We can’t succeed without supporting one another.’
Kehlani
The R&B artist who took home awards for both best R&B performance and song with “Folded” displayed an “ICE OUT” pin at the awards show on Sunday and repeatedly voiced concerns about the Recording Academy throughout the evening.
“F-ck ICE,” she said in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
She explained that with so many influential people gathered in one place, it was inevitable they would address important issues affecting the nation.
Later that night, while accepting an award, Kehlani first thanked her adoptive mother, and then spoke out on a political issue again.
She urged everyone to unite and raise their voices against global injustice, encouraging artists to join together as a community to protest current issues. She concluded her speech with a final, defiant message against ICE.
Shaboozey
The Grammy-winning singer, who was born in Virginia to Nigerian parents, used his acceptance speech to honor all children of immigrants. He also expressed gratitude to his mother for her sacrifices and support in raising him and his siblings as an immigrant in the United States.
During his acceptance speech for the award for best country duo/group performance – which he won with Jelly Roll for their song “Amen” – he stated, “Immigrants literally built this country.”
I was so moved by Shaboozey’s words, especially when he spoke to those who, like so many of our ancestors, came to this country hoping for a better life. He talked about the promise of freedom and the chance to build something new through hard work, and it really resonated with me. What struck me most was his gratitude for the rich tapestry of cultures, music, stories, and traditions immigrants have brought with them – he beautifully said they truly give America its color, and I couldn’t agree more.
Gloria Estefan
The Cuban artist, who won an award for their tropical Latin album Raíces on Sunday, told the Associated Press that they are worried about the direction of the country. Having lived there for many years, they feel it has changed significantly and urged everyone to take a stand.
After winning, Estefan told reporters that while no one wants an uncontrolled border situation, the people currently being apprehended aren’t criminals – they’re individuals with families who have a long history of contributing to the United States.
A parade of protest pins
Several celebrities at the awards show wore a small “ICE OUT” pin – about the size of a quarter – as a visible protest against the Trump Administration’s policies on immigration.
Celebrities like Justin and Hailey Bieber were seen wearing the pins, along with acclaimed singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, age 82, who recently won a Grammy. Other musicians spotted with the pins included Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Justin Vernon, Carole King, Margo Price, and Rhiannon Giddens.
Giddens urged people to speak out and use their influence in any way possible. Speaking to the Associated Press on the red carpet, she noted the stark contrast between the glamour of the event and serious issues like violence and excessive government power happening elsewhere.
Joy, a three-time winner of the best jazz vocal album award, recently told the media that she feels a responsibility, as a human being, to speak out against violence perpetrated by governments.
Vernon, from Bon Iver, explained to the Associated Press that he wore a whistle to show support for those tracking the activities of federal immigration agents.
He believes music exists to help people heal and connect with each other. But he emphasized that the most important work is being done by people on the ground in Minneapolis, and he wanted to acknowledge their efforts.
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2026-02-03 01:07