Hannah Einbinder, who won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on HBO’s "Hacks," faced immediate criticism after using her acceptance speech during Sunday night’s ceremony to deliver a political message that included the line, “Go Birds, f—k ICE and free Palestine.”
The 30-year-old actress, who is Jewish and a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan, concluded an emotional speech with the remark as she exited the stage; the comment quickly circulated on social media and drew both support and condemnation. Einbinder’s victory was her fourth nomination and first win in the category, recognized for her portrayal of Ava Daniels across all four seasons of the series.
Social media responses were swift. Some users condemned the remarks, arguing that awards ceremonies are an inappropriate venue for political statements. Joel Petlin, writing on X, said, "Any Jewish actress who uses her 15 minutes of fame to show support for the terrorists holding 48 hostages in Gaza has no moral compass," and added that the Hollywood audience that applauded was "equally reprehensible." Jewish journalist Dahlia Kurtz referenced a past admonition by comedian Ricky Gervais about celebrities lecturing the public.
Other participants at the event conveyed political messages in different forms. On the Emmys red carpet, Einbinder’s "Hacks" co-star Megan Stalter was reported to have displayed a bag with the words "CEASE FIRE" written on it.
Einbinder later told reporters, according to The Wrap, that she felt compelled to speak out to "distinguish Jews from the State of Israel," saying, "I feel like it is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the State of Israel, because our religion and our culture is such an important and long standing institution that is really separate to this sort of ethno-nationalist state." She added that talking about Palestine was "very dear to my heart."
The Emmys have in recent years been a venue for performers to raise political and social issues, a trend that has drawn mixed reactions from the public and industry figures. Critics of such interventions argue award shows are primarily celebrations of craft and entertainment, while supporters say recipients have a platform to draw attention to urgent causes.
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences did not immediately issue a statement about Einbinder’s remarks. Representatives for Einbinder and HBO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Einbinder’s win capped a season in which "Hacks" continued to receive attention for its performances and writing. The show and its cast have previously drawn acclaim and awards attention; Einbinder’s remarks are the latest instance of artists using high-profile moments to voice political positions, prompting debate about the role of entertainers in public discourse.
Public reaction online showcased divergent views, with some users praising Einbinder for speaking on issues important to her and others criticizing the choice of language and timing. The exchange underscored the continued tension between celebrity platforms and contentious international and domestic policy debates.