In a striking display of political protest within the world of professional wrestling, a live primetime broadcast of All Elite Wrestling's Dynamite was disrupted by loud and sustained chants against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The incident occurred during the main event in Las Vegas, where the crowd vocally expressed their disdain for the federal agency.
Main Event Overshadowed by Political Chants
The main event featured AEW Men's World Heavyweight Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman, known as MJF, facing Brody King in an eliminator match. Before the bout could begin, the audience erupted into a profane "F*** ICE" chant, which grew increasingly loud and persistent. This spontaneous protest reflected growing public anger over recent immigration enforcement actions, particularly following the shooting deaths of two Americans by federal agents in Minnesota.
Wrestlers' Reactions and Activism
MJF, who portrays a villainous character, responded to the chants with a comical and quizzical expression directed at the camera. Meanwhile, Brody King has been openly critical of the Trump administration's immigration policies. The hardcore punk band singer previously wore an "Abolish ICE" t-shirt during a match in Mexico last June, attracting significant media attention.
King's activism extends beyond the ring. Following the killing of Alex Pretti during Operation Metro Surge, King partnered with comic book artist Daniel Warren Johnson and Headlocked Comics to raise funds for families affected by ICE raids in Minnesota. Hours before the Dynamite broadcast, King announced that nearly $59,000 had been donated to the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee - Education Fund through their efforts.
Production Decisions Amplify Protest
Referee Bryce Remsburg revealed on social media that he deliberately delayed ringing the bell to start the match, allowing the chants to resonate longer. "It seems like the referee may have waited to ring the bell so these could resonate longer? Oh no. Whoops," Remsburg tweeted in response to footage of the incident.
Contrast with WWE's Political Alignment
The incident sparked immediate discussion on social media about the differences between AEW and its larger competitor, World Wrestling Entertainment. Many observers noted that WWE has maintained close ties with the Trump administration over the years.
"If they started chanting this at a WWE show HHH would turn the lights off and pull the fire alarm," one fan posted on X, while another wrote: "Triple H would have a stroke if WWE fans did this." WWE's historical connections include featuring Donald Trump in a WrestleMania match in 2007 and having several members of the McMahon family serve in his administrations.
Public Opinion and Political Context
Recent polling indicates significant public disapproval of ICE. A new NPR/Marist survey found that 65 percent of Americans believe ICE has "gone too far" in enforcing immigration laws, while 60 percent disapprove of the agency overall. Additionally, 62 percent feel that ICE is making Americans less safe.
In response to mounting criticism, White House border czar Tom Homan announced on Wednesday that he was withdrawing 700 federal agents from Minnesota operations. The president acknowledged in an NBC News interview that the administration "can use a little bit of a softer touch" regarding immigration enforcement.
The televised protest during a major wrestling broadcast represents a significant cultural moment, demonstrating how political tensions are manifesting in unexpected venues. As immigration policy remains a divisive national issue, such public displays of dissent are likely to continue capturing attention across various forms of entertainment and media.
