Billie Eilish has called out fellow celebrities for remaining silent amid growing outrage over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as public anger intensifies following the deaths of two American citizens during recent enforcement actions.
The singer, who has long been outspoken on political and human rights issues, used her social media platform to challenge what she sees as a lack of accountability from public figures with influence, writing in a pointed Instagram caption: “hey my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up? or”.
Her comments came as details emerged surrounding the deaths of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed in her car on January 7, and Alex Pretti, who was killed in the street on January 24. Both incidents occurred during ICE operations and have since become flashpoints in a wider national debate around immigration enforcement, police power and state violence.
Eilish was among the most forceful voices responding to the deaths. Following Good’s killing, she shared posts describing ICE agents as “domestic terrorists” who were “tearing apart families, terrorizing citizens, and now murdering innocent citizens”. She also reposted a list naming 32 people reported to have died while in ICE custody, alongside a call to “[a]bolish ICE.”
Her stance was echoed by her brother FINNEAS, who directly addressed what he described as political hypocrisy in the official response to Pretti’s death. In a video shared online, he condemned arguments used to justify the killing. “The conservative argument that allows school shootings to continue has always basically boiled down to, ‘We have to protect the second amendment. We have to allow people to carry weapons legally,’” FINNEAS said. “Every argument I’ve seen for why Alex Pretti’s death was ‘justified’ yesterday is like, ‘Well he had a gun.’ Shut the fk up! You’ve spent 30 years straight telling us that children have to die so that we’re allowed to legally carry weapons everywhere in the United States. This guy was being beaten to a pulp on the ground, he didn’t draw his weapon. He had a weapon on him legally. And they shot the fk out of him. And killed him.”
Olivia Rodrigo also weighed in, focusing on civic responsibility and urging political engagement rather than silence. “ICE’s actions are unconscionable, but we are not powerless,” she wrote. “our actions matter. I stand with Minnesota.” She further encouraged followers to pressure lawmakers to block additional funding for ICE, reflecting a growing trend among younger artists who combine activism with direct political messaging.
Despite video footage that appears to contradict official accounts, the Trump administration has defended ICE’s actions in both cases. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Good attempted to “weaponise her vehicle” against agents, branding the incident an act of “domestic terrorism”. Meanwhile, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino argued that Pretti’s legal possession of a firearm meant it “look[ed] like” he intended to “massacre law enforcement”, despite no evidence that he attempted to draw the weapon.
Those explanations have been widely criticised, not only by activists but by public figures across music and entertainment. Veteran artists Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young were among those to condemn ICE’s conduct, adding their voices to a chorus of protest that now spans generations.
ICE’s parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, responded directly to Eilish’s comments, issuing a statement accusing her of dangerous rhetoric. The department claimed that statements like hers had contributed to a “1,300 per cent increase in assaults” and a “3,200 per cent increase in vehicle rammings” against law enforcement officers. Events on the ground in Minneapolis further fuelled public anger. In the aftermath of Pretti’s killing, ICE agents reportedly blocked local law enforcement from accessing the scene. When protesters arrived, agents deployed pepper spray and tear gas. Footage circulating online shows one man being chased and tackled by ICE officers while walking away with his hands raised.
The fallout has since reached the highest levels of government. Following bipartisan criticism and mounting public pressure, Gregory Bovino was removed from his post in Minneapolis. President Donald Trump later confirmed that he had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, claiming the two were now on a “similar wavelength” regarding the situation.
For Billie Eilish, however, the issue extends beyond a single incident or administration. Her call-out of celebrity silence highlights a broader frustration with performative activism — moments when public figures speak loudly on safe issues but withdraw when consequences loom.
Billie Eilish Calls Out Billionaires “No Hate But, Give Your Money Away”
At the 2025 WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards held in New York, Billie Eilish didn’t just accept her Music Innovator Award — she used the moment to confront the ultra-rich in the room and demand something more meaningful: accountability. In a fiery speech, she challenged powerful figures to use their wealth for good.
Billie Eilish began by addressing those in the crowd who hold tremendous financial power. “If you have money it would be great to use it for good things, and maybe give it to some people that need it,” she said early in her speech, laying the foundation for the rest of her remarks. She then zoomed in: “Love you all but there are a few people in this room that have a lot more money than me. If you're a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?” The room responded with a mix of applause and tension. Undeterred, she added “We’re in a time right now where the world is really really bad, and really dark. People need empathy, and help more than ever, especially in our country.” Finally, she closed with a line that sparked headlines: “No hate but, yeah, give your money away shorties.”
@cnn Singer Billie Eilish called on billionaires to give away more of their money after accepting an award at the WSJ Magazine 2025 Innovator Awards.#billieeilish ♬ original sound - CNN
Eilish didn’t just preach. Earlier in the evening, her host, Stephen Colbert, revealed that she would be donating $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour proceeds to support causes like food equity, climate justice and reducing carbon pollution — putting her words into action. Colbert’s announcement served as a dramatic preamble to her remarks. Her speech landed especially hard because she wasn’t speaking from a place of hypocrisy: she was giving from what she had earned and holding others to the same standard.
Billie Eilish isn’t just a pop star. She is one of the most influential young artists in the world, known for pushing boundaries in music, fashion, mental health, and activism. Born in Los Angeles in 2001, she first gained widespread attention alongside her brother and collaborator FINNEAS with the song “Ocean Eyes.” Her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? sparked a cultural moment, earning her multiple Grammy wins including Album of the Year, and solidifying her status as a generational voice.
Her discography is rich with sonic experimentation — dark pop, whispery vocals, foreboding production — but she is equally known for the ideas behind the music. On tracks like “Your Power,” she critiques abuse of power; on “All the Good Girls Go to Hell”, she tackles climate change through allegory. She has never shied away from speaking out.
Offstage, Billie Eilish has become one of the most outspoken artists of her generation, using her platform to shine a light on social, environmental, and political issues far beyond the music industry. Her activism has grown in parallel with her fame — a rare case of a pop icon whose influence extends into genuine advocacy.
She has long been passionate about climate and environmental causes, using interviews, documentaries, and her own tours to promote sustainability. Eilish has spoken openly about the responsibility artists have to lead by example, from banning plastic straws at her shows to insisting on eco-friendly materials in her merchandise. She’s worked with major fashion houses to push for green innovation and regularly collaborates with designers who prioritise ethical production. Her second album campaign featured climate-themed imagery, and she has described climate change as “the number one thing that keeps me up at night.”
Eilish is also a committed advocate for animal rights and veganism. Having gone vegan as a young teenager, she’s consistently used her platform to challenge industries she views as exploitative, calling out the use of fur, leather, dairy, and wool in fashion. She’s partnered with animal welfare groups and frequently reminds her millions of followers to consider the environmental impact of their choices. Her advocacy is often delivered in the same blunt, relatable tone that defines her lyrics — firm but never performative.
Politically, Eilish has never been afraid to speak out, even when doing so risked alienating parts of her audience. During the 2020 U.S. presidential election, she made headlines when she appeared at the Democratic National Convention to encourage young people to vote. In that address, she condemned then-president Donald Trump, saying bluntly: “Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about.” At just 18 years old, she became one of the youngest and most visible musicians to take such a strong stance during the campaign,.
More recently, Eilish has extended her activism to human rights and global conflicts. She and her brother Finneas appeared in a Together for Palestine public service announcement, calling for compassion, awareness, and humanitarian aid in Gaza. Eilish urged artists and fans alike to use their voices to promote peace, aligning herself with a growing number of musicians speaking out about displacement and the suffering of civilians. In other words, when Eilish issued a challenge to billionaires last night, she wasn’t just a pretty voice on a stage — she was confronting a broader narrative she has long resisted: that artists should be silent on power, justice, and responsibility.
The 2025 WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards took place at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, gathering elite figures from entertainment, tech, philanthropy, fashion, and more. Among the attendees were Mark Zuckerberg, his wife Priscilla Chan, George Lucas, Spike Lee, and Hailey Bieber. Priscilla Chan was being honoured that night for her philanthropic work, making the evening even more charged.
Eilish’s speech unfolded after Colbert announced her donation. As guests looked on, she pivoted from gratitude into confrontation, in a tone that felt equal parts urgent sermon and lyrical essay. Her lines about billionaires drew laughs, applause — and at least one noted silence. Observers in the room reported that Mark Zuckerberg did not clap at the moment “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?” was delivered. For many, that pause spoke louder than the applause that echoed elsewhere in the hall.
