Music Stars Criticize Trump and ICE at Grammy Pre-Show Parade
The 2026 Grammy Premiere Ceremony emerged as a significant platform for celebrity activism against President Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The event took place on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles and featured numerous artists expressing their opposition to immigration policies.
Kehlani and the Powerful Message
Singer Kehlani, upon receiving the award for Best R&B Performance for her song “Folded,” passionately criticized ICE. She emphasized the power of artists uniting to address global injustices, declaring, “So instead of letting it be just a couple few here and there, I hope everybody is inspired to join together as a community of artists and speak out against what’s going on.” Her heartfelt statement concluded with an exclamation that resonated with the audience: “F*ck ICE!”
Support from Other Artists
Kehlani’s statement was met with applause, showcasing the shared sentiment among the attendees. Several other artists joined her in expressing their discontent. Many wore “ICE Out” pins, signifying their stand against deportation and in favor of immigrant rights.
Artists Making a Stand
- Joni Mitchell – Folk legend
- Margo Price – Country singer
- Robert Glasper – Pianist
- PinkPantheress – Singer-songwriter
- Samara Joy – Jazz singer (stated her intention to “stand up” for those experiencing tragedy)
Samara Joy, while appearing on the red carpet, shared her thoughts: “I want to stand up. I don’t want to draw attention to myself all the time without recognizing the humanity between myself and all the people around the world.”
Dedication to Immigrants
Shaboozey, awarded Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his collaboration with Jelly Roll on the song “Amen,” dedicated his Grammy to immigrants. In a poignant speech, he remarked, “Immigrants built this country, literally. This is for all children of immigrants and those who came to this country in search of a better opportunity.”
Context of the Protest
The artists’ protests followed recent tragedies, namely the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota. The Grammy Premiere Ceremony set a tone of activism, indicating that further anti-ICE and anti-Trump statements were likely to emerge during the main event, scheduled to air at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
