At the 77th Emmy Awards, Hollywood’s elite appeared mostly silent on the assassination of Charlie Kirk—even as political statements about other issues took center stage. Moments of activism were sprinkled throughout the ceremony, but none addressed Kirk’s death directly.
“Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder closed her winning speech by shouting, “Fuck ICE and free Palestine!” On the red carpet, fellow cast member Megan Stalter held up a “CEASE FIRE” bag to call for an end to conflict in Gaza. Javier Bardem, wrapped in a keffiyeh, vowed not to work with companies that support Israel, declaring that such affiliations are unacceptable in any industry.
While many celebrities took strong political stances during the event, none publicly acknowledged Kirk’s passing, even though it had become a major national talking point leading up to the Emmys. Presenter Bryan Cranston joked about “destructive woke degenerates like Tom Hanks,” referencing Trump’s criticism of the actor, but made no mention of political violence or Kirk. Stephen Colbert, in his speech, focused on themes of love, loss, and patriotism—but avoided directly referencing the killing.
Many viewers took to social media to express disappointment at what they perceived as selective outrage. Critics questioned how Hollywood could be so vocal on international issues while seemingly ignoring a violent act committed on American soil against a prominent political figure.
Some conservative commentators speculated that the silence reflected a broader cultural divide, arguing that mainstream entertainment figures are unwilling to acknowledge tragedies that impact their ideological opponents. Others suggested it was a missed opportunity to unite Americans in condemning political violence, regardless of partisan affiliation.
