It seems Donald Trump is making awards shows political again.
After high-profile ceremonies were mostly apolitical last year as celebs grew quiet after speaking out against Trump from awards show stages in his first term, the 2025 Grammys, the first major awards show in Trump’s second term, featured a number of references to some of the most controversial actions the president has taken at the start of his second term.
Lady Gaga issued perhaps the strongest call out to Trump’s anti-trans executive orders, including a first-day proclamation that the U.S. would only recognize two genders (male and female) and that those could not be changed. Accepting the Grammy for best pop duo or group performance for her “Die With a Smile” duet with Bruno Mars, Gaga declared “Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.”
Earlier in the night, when she won best latin pop album, Shakira appeared to allude to Trump’s immigration crackdown, saying, “I want to dedicate this award to all of my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country. You are loved, you’re worth it and I will always fight for you.”
Trump has taken a particularly aggressive approach to immigration in the early days of his second term, conducting mass deportations and even issuing an executive order to end birthright citizenship.
After Selena Gomez posted (and deleted) a video earlier this week crying over the deportations, the White House commissioned mothers of victims of violent crimes committed by immigrants to appear in a video specifically taking aim at Gomez for her criticism.
Grammys host Trevor Noah also joked in his monologue about Trump’s aggressive actions, which included ending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across government, saying, “There’s been a few changes in Washington. I’m going to enjoy tonight because this may be the last time I get to host anything in this country.”
Noah also joked about Trump’s recently unveiled tariffs against Canada (as well as Mexico and China), saying, “maple syrup’s about to be $50.”
More to come.
English (US) ·