Amidst the grand victories and elegant fashion at the 77th Emmy Awards, several celebrities seized the opportunity to voice their political opinions.
Hannah Einbinder, known for her role in “Hacks,” made a bold political statement during her acceptance speech for best supporting actress in a comedy. In a concise sentence, she expressed support for the Philadelphia Eagles, criticized Immigration Customs and Enforcement in the U.S., and touched on the ongoing situation in Gaza. She concluded her speech with the words, “Go Birds, f—k ICE and free Palestine.”
Einbinder was part of a group of around 4,000 actors and industry professionals who recently signed a pledge to refrain from collaborating with film institutions or governments involved in alleged atrocities against the Palestinian people.
Speaking at a post-award news conference, Einbinder revealed her personal connection to the Gaza crisis through friends volunteering as aid workers in the region. She emphasized the importance of addressing the conflict as a Jewish individual, distinguishing Israeli policies from Jewish identity.
In response to Einbinder’s remarks, Israeli author and activist Hen Mazzig penned a piece titled “No, Hannah, That Wasn’t Brave,” highlighting the complex ties between Jewish identity and the state of Israel. He underscored the significance of acknowledging the interconnectedness of religion and the land.
While support for Palestinians dominated the political discourse at the event, there were also symbolic gestures in favor of peace. Einbinder and her co-star Megan Stalter wore Artists4Ceasefire pins, advocating for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, release of hostages, and aid delivery to Gaza.
Notable personalities like Aimee Lou Wood, Brian Cox from “Succession,” and F1 star Javier Bardem also sported the Artists4Ceasefire pins. Bardem, donning a keffiyeh, a traditional Arab headdress symbolizing solidarity with Palestinians, denounced what he termed a genocide and called for heightened awareness and action.
Additionally, the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” received a political undertone. The program’s triumph in the best talk show category was met with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation, seemingly interpreted as a rebuke to the show’s earlier cancellation following Colbert’s critique of his network’s actions involving a lawsuit settlement with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Colbert’s impending exit in May 2026 was announced, with speculation about the political factors influencing the show’s termination. Despite his typically satirical approach, Colbert maintained a non-political stance during the event.
Television Academy chair Cris Abrego took the opportunity to criticize Congress for defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, while refraining from direct references to specific political figures or recent tragic events.