At the 77th Emmy Awards, Celebrities used the stage to call for a Gaza ceasefire and critique U.S. policies, while Colbert’s win sparked political debate.
Politics Amid the Glamour
The 77th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday were not just about trophies and red-carpet fashion. Several winners and nominees turned the spotlight on global politics, with pro-Palestinian messages and critiques of U.S. institutions woven into the night’s biggest moments.
A Stand from the Podium
Hannah Einbinder, co-star of Hacks, made one of the evening’s most striking statements after winning best supporting actress in a comedy. In her acceptance speech, she mixed sports pride with pointed politics, declaring: “Go Birds, f—k ICE and free Palestine.” Later, Einbinder defended her remarks, saying that boycotting complicit institutions is a moral obligation and stressing her view that Jewish identity should be seen as distinct from the state of Israel.
Reactions and Backlash
Her words sparked swift response. Hen Mazzig, an Israeli activist and writer, told to News that Einbinder’s comments disregarded Israeli suffering and painted an incomplete picture of the conflict. He argued that calls for peace should acknowledge both Palestinian and Israeli lives, including the hostages still held since Hamas’s October 7 attack.
Red Carpet Messages
On the red carpet, symbols of solidarity were equally visible. Spanish actor Javier Bardem wore a keffiyeh and condemned what he called “genocide” in Gaza, while several stars — including Brian Cox and Aimee Lou Wood — wore Artists4Ceasefire pins. The advocacy group is calling for a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian aid delivery, and the release of all hostages. Bardem warned that international inaction risks normalizing mass civilian casualties.
A Show of Support for Colbert
Politics also entered the room when The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won best talk show. The audience gave Colbert a rare standing ovation, chanting his name. The network cancelled the program earlier this year, sparking speculation that it was linked to Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s settlement with former president Donald Trump. Officially, CBS cited financial reasons, but the Emmy reaction was widely seen as a rebuke of corporate influence on free speech.
Broader Context
The night’s political undertones reflected a long tradition of artists using award shows as platforms for activism, from Michael Moore’s 2003 Oscars speech to this year’s Grammy calls for fair pay. The war in Gaza, which has killed more than 64,000 people according to local health officials, has increasingly shaped cultural spaces. Canadian audiences have witnessed similar divisions, as debates over artistic boycotts, public funding, and freedom of speech play out north of the border as well.
Looking Ahead
The Television Academy itself also weighed in on political issues. Chair Cris Abrego criticized Congress for slashing funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, warning of long-term impacts on democratic discourse. Meanwhile, some high-profile issues went unmentioned: neither U.S. President Donald Trump nor the recent campus shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk were referenced onstage.
Award shows, long a mirror for cultural tensions, once again proved to be as much about political expression as celebration.
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