The real win of the 2026 Grammys? The power of protest.
Politics took a front-row seat at this year’s Grammys, with some of music’s biggest stars using the spotlight to speak out against US immigration enforcement. Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean weren’t just winners on the night — they were among those unafraid to call out ICE and the human cost of its actions.
And the messaging didn’t stop at the podium. This was an awards show steeped in quiet protest, with badges, styling choices and subtle beauty statements woven throughout the night. Many of these gestures nodded to growing concerns around the increased presence of federal agents, particularly in cities like Minneapolis, which has become a focal point in the wider debate.
Public backlash against the ICE operation — part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation initiative — has grown sharply since a U.S. Border Patrol officer shot and killed 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during an enforcement action in Minneapolis on 24 January, just weeks after another federal agent fatally shot Renee Good less than a mile away, fueling nationwide protests and calls for accountability.
Safe to say, President Donald Trump noticed. In a post on Truth Social early on Monday, Trump wrote: “The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable.”
If you are keen to show support and don't know where to start, here are some practical solutions – backed by key organisations.
Before anyone insists that politics has no place at an awards show, it’s worth remembering that politics shapes every aspect of daily life. These celebrities are simply using their immense platforms to reflect that reality — and to push for change. (Elphaba would, frankly, approve.) For artists with immigrant backgrounds or close ties to affected communities, speaking out isn’t a statement — it’s personal.
Here are the key moments that made the 2026 Grammys one of the most politically charged in recent history.
Bad Bunny
The Puerto Rican rapper and singer has long been vocal about U.S. immigration policy, and at the 2026 Grammys, he made that stance unmistakable. Bad Bunny’s DeBí Tirar Más Fotos became the first Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year at the ceremony, and he opened his acceptance by saying “ICE out” — a pointed call to reject harsh immigration enforcement.
He continued with a message of dignity and unity: “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.” He went on to argue that “the only thing more powerful than hate is love” and urged compassion even in the face of deep divisions.
For the main prize, Bad Bunny delivered much of his speech in Spanish before switching to English to dedicate the award to “all the people that had to leave their homeland … to follow their dreams.”
His remarks — widely covered and cheered during the broadcast — stood out as one of the most explicitly political moments of the evening, amplifying public debate around immigration and enforcement actions that have dominated national headlines.
Olivia Dean
Wiping away tears as she walked to the stage to accept the Best New Artist award, Dean told the audience: “I’m up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant… I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.”
Dean was referring to her grandmother, Carmen, who was part of the Windrush generation — a story she explores in her song Carmen.
Billie Eilish
Eilish accepted the Song of the Year award for Wildflower, echoing the night’s broader call for activism.
“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said, standing on stage alongside her brother and collaborator, Finneas. The 24-year-old, whose winning track appears on her album Hit Me Hard and Soft, urged the audience to keep speaking out.
“It’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now, and I just… I feel really hopeful in this room. I feel like we just need to keep fighting, speaking up, and protesting. Our voices really do matter, and the people matter.”
It’s especially powerful when artists like Eilish speak up — it shouldn't just be down to the children of immigrants, but the children of anyone who understands the importance of standing up for justice.
Kehlani
Winning two awards that evening, Kehlani also made time to speak out on the red carpet and in interviews about the role of artists in social movements. “An artist’s job is to reflect the times,” she told reporters, pointing to the power and visibility that come with being on the world stage. “People all over the world can see even just when we open our mouths one time, so I think we have an opportunity to use it wisely.”
Earlier in the night at the Grammys pre‑show, Kehlani took that message even further while accepting Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for Folded. After urging fellow artists to unite and use their voices against injustice, she ended her acceptance speech with a blunt declaration: “F*ck ICE.”
Gloria Estefan
Backstage, Gloria Estefan shared that she was “very worried” about the state of the U.S.
“I don’t think anyone would say we want a free-for-all at the border. But what is happening is not criminals being arrested. These are people who have families and have contributed to this country for decades,” she told reporters.
Estefan took home Best Tropical Latin Album for Raíces, and used her acceptance speech to voice concerns about ongoing immigration raids. She emphasised that the country must “hold dear and true” to its democratic principles, which she called “the reason why everyone wants to be here.”
Shaboozey
Shaboozey took home his first Grammy in the Country Duo/Group Performance category for Amen featuring Jelly Roll. On stage, he paid tribute to his mother, who immigrated from Nigeria and worked multiple jobs to support him and his siblings.
“Immigrants built this country, so this is for them, for all children of immigrants,” he said, dedicating the award to families like his own.
ICE OUT
Many artists staged a silent protest by wearing “ICE Out” pins on their couture, turning fashion into a statement of solidarity against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies. Celebrities who donned the pins included Hailey and Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell, Kehlani, and Joni Mitchell, among others, such as Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Samara Joy.
Trevor Noah
The host has never shied away from political commentary, and the 2026 Grammys were no different.
Noah took several jabs at Trump throughout the show, including before announcing Song of the Year, quipping:
“Song of the Year — that is a Grammy every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
The joke didn’t go unnoticed. Trump responded, calling Noah’s comment “INCORRECTLY” about him and Clinton, tweeting:
“Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!! I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media.”
He then warned Noah to “get his facts straight, and get them straight fast,” adding: “It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C.”
We have no doubt Noah's having the last laugh right now.
