The White House has criticised comments made by Bad Bunny at the 68th Grammy Awards, where the Puerto Rican singer called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished. During his acceptance speech for Album of the Year, Bad Bunny said: 'ICE out. We're not savages, we're not animals, we are humans and we are Americans … the only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.' The remarks were among the most direct celebrity rebukes of the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Other artists also spoke out against ICE at the ceremony. Billie Eilish said 'no one is illegal on stolen land' and urged celebrities to keep protesting, while Olivia Dean and Shaboozey celebrated immigration. The statements came amid ongoing mass deportations under the Trump administration, which has expanded ICE's powers.
President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the Grammys 'the WORST, virtually unwatchable' and threatening to sue host Trevor Noah over a joke about Greenland and Epstein. The White House later echoed Trump's criticism, dismissing the celebrities' comments as irrelevant. However, supporters of the artists argue that using their platform to speak out against injustice is important, especially when the issue is as visceral as ICE's actions.
Critics of celebrity activism often question its impact, noting that similar efforts during the 2024 election campaign failed to sway voters. But for artists like Bad Bunny, whose heritage is directly affected, the issue is deeply personal. The debate over whether celebrities should use their fame for political statements continues, with the Grammys serving as the latest flashpoint.
