The music industry is much more political than its film counterparts. At the Grammy Awards, several stars spoke out against Donald Trump and his politics.
02/02/2026, 05:4102/02/2026, 09:45
Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish are honored and celebrated for anti-ICE statements
Both Golden Globes On January 11, Hollywood stars appeared tame, almost frightened, as if they didn’t want to incur Donald Trump’s wrath. Virtually hardly any celebrities ventured out onto the branches and took an open stand against the US government. Otherwise, the stars have been happy to make political statements in the past.
Three weeks, an escalation in Minneapolis and several more border crossings by the Trump administration later it looks different. At the Grammys, the most important music awards ceremony, several stars gathered their courage and made politically colored statements.
For example, Bad Bunny, who was awarded the best album for his work “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”, made a clear statement. It is the first album entirely in Spanish to receive this award. Before he wants to thank God, the Puerto Rican said in his speech, he wants to say something else:
“We are not savages, we are not animals, we are not strangers, we are human, and we are Americans,” he continued. The audience’s reaction spoke volumes: Bad Bunny received frenetic and sustained applause.
Billie Eilish, who also received an award, was even more pointed: “Fuck ICE,” said the 24-year-old, who has often made negative comments about Donald Trump and his politics. It’s really hard to find the right words at the moment, said Eilish in her acceptance speech. But given the mood at the event today, I feel “hopeful”.
“We have to keep fighting and keep speaking out and protesting. Our voices and people matter.”
Eilish also said, based on the actions of the deportation authority ICE and US history, that “no one is illegal on stolen land.” She received a lot of applause for this and her other statements.
Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell won song of the year for “Wildflower.” The category was presented by musician Carole King. She wore a button on stage with the inscription “ICE Out”. Other guests also had such a button pinned to their clothing, including musicians Kehlani and Amy Allen.
Moderator Noah keeps teasing Trump and Co.
Moderator Trevor Noah was also much more aggressive than his counterpart at the Golden Globes, Nikki Glaser. Glaser, actually known for her biting style, primarily poked fun at Hollywood itself in her moderation, but she didn’t give out any political swipes.
Noah is different: The 41-year-old South African set off a real firework of jokes during his sixth and final presentation of the Grammy Awards and alluded to Donald Trump and his controversial politics numerous times in his punchlines.
There’s a new drinking game in the USA, joked Noah at the gala in Los Angeles. “Every time you turn on the news, you drink.” In addition, “Anxiety” (in German “fear” or “worry”) – a song by rapper Doechii – is now the country’s new national anthem.
Neo-Trump fan and rapper Nicki Minaj also got her fat off: Minaj wasn’t at the event, according to Noah. She is in the White House and is talking to the US President about “really important things” – for example, who has the bigger butt. Minaj recently presented herself as a big Trump fan. She had previously been critical of him.
As the gala progressed, Noah upped the ante. “If things continue to get worse here, can I come to Puerto Rico and live with you?” he asked the musician Bad Bunny. “I need a plan B.” However, Bad Bunny then informed him directly that Puerto Rico is part of the USA.
Noah later explained why this sixth gala presentation would also be his last.
“I believe in term limits. I want to set an example for everyone who watches the show.”
On the one hand, US President Trump is known for watching a lot of television – and has repeatedly indicated that he could also imagine remaining president beyond his term limit. Today, critics of the 79-year-old also fear that he no longer intends to hand over power in the country through democratic means.
Trevor Noah was firing on all cylinders.Image: keystone
After giving singer Billie EIlish the Grammy for Best Song, Noah said it was an award everyone wanted “just as much as Trump wants Greenland. Epstein’s island is gone. He needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.” Afterwards, Noah made it clear why he could trust all the sharp swipes:
«I told you, it’s my last time. What do you want to do?”
The Dalai Lama wins a prize
In the broadest sense, the award given to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, which continues to suffer from repression by China, was also political in the broadest sense. The Dalai Lama, who lives in exile, was actually awarded for an artistic achievement – for his narrative voice. He prevailed with the audio book “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”.
Awarded for his narrative voice: The Dalai Lama.Image: keystone
The Dalai Lama himself was not present to accept the award in Los Angeles. Songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright did this on behalf of the band. The category in which the Dalai Lama won was “Best Recording for Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling”. Among other things, he prevailed against Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. “For the first time you can turn to the Supreme Court for a Grammy loss,” joked presenter Trevor Noah during the ceremony.
Justin Bieber appears in underpants and socks – and Chappell Roan …
There was also some non-political excitement at the show in Los Angeles. On the one hand, this was ensured by Justin Bieber, who appeared like this:
Underpants, socks, guitar: Justin Bieber only took the bare essentials with him on stage.Image: keystone
And on the other hand, Chappell Roan, who appeared on the red carpet in a rather unusual outfit. Her sheer burgundy dress was attached in only two places: piercings on both of her nipples.
Revealing: Chappell Roan.Image: x
But this outfit seemed too daring for her on stage: she changed again between the reception and the gala.
So Roan later appeared on stage.Image: x
Who else was awarded?
Steven Spielberg achieved a remarkable milestone at this year’s awards: the 79-year-old was honored as producer for the “Best Music Film” with “Music for John Williams”. This makes Spielberg a so-called EGOT award winner, i.e. an artist who has won all four important US entertainment awards – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
Spielberg wasn’t just honored for the music documentary. The award also went to the remaining producers and director Laurent Bouzereau. “Music by John Williams” is about the monumental work of the influential film composer.
Steven Spielberg rises into an illustrious circle.Image: keystone
Olivia Dean won the Grammy for best young artist. The 26-year-old Brit won the category against artists and bands such as Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young, Addison Rae and Katseye. “Thank you,” said the singer with tears in her eyes during her acceptance speech at the gala in Los Angeles. “I never really thought I would be up here.”
Afterwards, Dean also indirectly criticized the aggressive tightening of US immigration policy by President Donald Trump’s administration. One of her grandparents was also an immigrant, Dean said.
«I am the product of courage and these people deserve to be celebrated. We are nothing without each other.”
Olivia Dean with her gold gramophone.Image: keystone
For the first time in the history of the Grammys, a K-pop song was awarded one of the golden gramophones. The song “Golden” from the Netflix hit film “KPop Demon Hunters” received the honor as best song written for visual media, as the organizers announced.
With material from the news agencies SDA and DPA.