The real win of the 2026 Grammys? The power of protest.

Politics took a front-row seat at this year’s Grammys, with some of music’s biggest stars using the spotlight to speak out against US immigration enforcement. Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean weren’t just winners on the night — they were among those unafraid to call out ICE and the human cost of its actions.

And the messaging didn’t stop at the podium. This was an awards show steeped in quiet protest, with badges, styling choices and subtle beauty statements woven throughout the night. Many of these gestures nodded to growing concerns around the increased presence of federal agents, particularly in cities like Minneapolis, which has become a focal point in the wider debate.

Public backlash against the ICE operation — part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation initiative — has grown sharply since a U.S. Border Patrol officer shot and killed 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during an enforcement action in Minneapolis on 24 January, just weeks after another federal agent fatally shot Renee Good less than a mile away, fueling nationwide protests and calls for accountability.

Safe to say, President Donald Trump noticed. In a post on Truth Social early on Monday, Trump wrote: “The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable.”

Before anyone insists that politics has no place at an awards show, it’s worth remembering that politics shapes every aspect of daily life. These celebrities are simply using their immense platforms to reflect that reality — and to push for change. (Elphaba would, frankly, approve.) For artists with immigrant backgrounds or close ties to affected communities, speaking out isn’t a statement — it’s personal.

Here are the key moments that made the 2026 Grammys one of the most politically charged in recent history.

Bad Bunny

The Puerto Rican rapper and singer has long been vocal about U.S. immigration policy, and at the 2026 Grammys, he made that stance unmistakable. Bad Bunny’s DeBí Tirar Más Fotos became the first Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year at the ceremony, and he opened his acceptance by saying “ICE out” — a pointed call to reject harsh immigration enforcement.

He continued with a message of dignity and unity: “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.” He went on to argue that “the only thing more powerful than hate is love” and urged compassion even in the face of deep divisions.