THE biggest night in television turned political once again, but one shocking omission left viewers furious.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast Sunday night avoided any mention of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s murder, even as stars used the stage to push their own causes.
77th Emmy Awards ignored conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s recent murder (stock)[/caption]
Charlie Kirk, 31, was gunned down in front of 3,000 people while kicking off his “American Comeback Tour” (stock)[/caption]
Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem was another celebrity using his moment to spotlight Gaza (stock)[/caption]
Hacks actor Megan Stalter also made a statement on the red carpet (stock)[/caption]
The show was staged at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, just four days after the Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot during a Q&A event at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, 31, was gunned down in front of 3,000 people while kicking off his “American Comeback Tour.”
He was struck in the neck in what the US president later called a “heinous assassination” and an act of “political violence.”
The killing made international headlines and sent shockwaves through Washington, yet Hollywood’s elite kept silent throughout the glitzy ceremony.
Instead, speeches and red-carpet statements were dominated by calls to “Free Palestine,” demands for a ceasefire, and swipes at Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Online, furious fans accused the Emmys of blatant double standards.
“So they decided to be non political this year is why NO Moment of Silence for Charlie Kirk at the #Emmys,” one user fumed.
“What a joke Hollywood has become.”
Another sarcastically posted: “That #CharlieKirk tribute at the #Emmys was very touching. Very well done. What? You say I got that wrong?”
A third noted: “Charlie Kirk was not mentioned once at the Emmy Awards. George Floyd was mentioned numerous times in previous shows. Absolutely disgusting.”
“The Emmys made ZERO reference to Charlie Kirk who was assassinated.”
Among those who spoke out on political issues was Hacks star Hanna Einbinder, who picked up Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
She ended her speech with the words: “Finally, go birds, f**k ICE and free Palestine – thank you!”
Her Hacks co-star Megan Stalter also made a statement on the red carpet, carrying a purse emblazoned with the word “Ceasefire!”
2025 EMMYS BIGGEST WINNERS
The Emmy award is the most coveted honor an actor can earn in television. While hundreds were nominated in 2025, only a select few got to take home the trophy. Here are this year’s winners:
Lead actress in a drama series – Britt Lower (Severance)
Lead actor in a drama series – Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
Supporting actress in a drama series – Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)
Supporting actor in a drama series – Tramell Tillman (Severance)
Guest actor in a comedy series – Bryan Cranston (The Studio)
Guest actress in a comedy series – Julianne Nicholson (Hacks)
Lead actress in a comedy series – Jean Smart (Hacks)
Lead actor in a comedy series – Seth Rogen (The Studio)
Supporting actress in a comedy series – Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
Supporting actor in a comedy series – Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere)
Guest actor in a comedy series – Bryan Cranston (The Studio)
Guest actress in a comedy series – Julianne Nicholson (Hacks)
Lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie – Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)
Lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie – Stephen Graham (Adolescence)
Supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie – Erin Doherty (Adolescence)
Supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie – Owen Cooper (Adolescence)
Outstanding drama series – The Pitt
Outstanding comedy series – The Studio
Outstanding limited or anthology series – Adolescence
Outstanding television movie – Rebel Ridge
Outstanding talk series – The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Outstanding reality competition program – The Traitors
Outstanding structured reality program – Queer Eye
Outstanding unstructured reality program – Love On The Spectrum
“It’s the most important to stick up for people and for peace,” Stalter told Variety.
“We have to use our platforms.”
Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem was another celebrity using his moment to spotlight Gaza.
Wearing a black and white keffiyeh, Bardem said: “Here I am today denouncing the genocide in Gaza.”
He urged the industry to cut ties with Israeli film companies and called for a “commercial and diplomatic blockade” of the country.
The No Country for Old Men star, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, explained he had joined more than 1,800 industry workers signing a boycott pledge.
“This is not about targeting individuals by their identity,” Bardem said.
“What we target are those complicit film companies and institutions involved in whitewashing or justifying genocide.”
He added: “We stand with those who fight and stand in solidarity with the oppressed.”
Other Hollywood heavyweights including Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Tilda Swinton and Olivia Colman have also backed the Film Workers for Palestine campaign.
Einbinder later elaborated backstage saying: “I feel like it is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the State of Israel.”
She added: “Boycotting is an effective tool to create pressure on the powers that be … I think it’s an important measure, so I was happy to be a part of it.”
The political mood stretched to the writers’ room too, with Last Week Tonight with John Oliver taking the prize for Best Writing for a Variety Series.
Accepting the award, senior writer Daniel O’Brien quipped: “We are honoured to share it with all writers of late night political comedy while that is still a type of show that’s allowed to exist.”
The jab referenced CBS’ shock decision this summer to fire Stephen Colbert, with some insiders claiming the left-leaning host’s ouster was tied to Paramount’s $8-billion merger.
Kirk was struck in the neck in what the US president later called a “heinous assassination” and an act of “political violence” (stock)[/caption]
