Grammy Awards 2026 branded 'WOKE garbage' as viewers 'switch off' over 'dumb' political statements: 'What do they know?!'

One major source of contention of late has been the actions of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) in the state of Minnesota.

Protests have erupted across the country after two US citizens were fatally shot following altercations with Ice agents in the city of Minneapolis.

However, the Trump administration has stood by the agents involved and Ice as a whole amid ongoing calls for the organisation to be disbanded.

Within moments of this year's Grammys, it became clear which side of the political coin those in attendance had chosen.

Presenter Trevor Noah began the political grandstanding by mocking rapper and singer Nicki Minaj.

Ms Minaj wasn't in attendance and has faced criticism from her fanbase in recent months after publicly throwing her support behind President Trump.

As the ceremony continued and more and more winners were announced, several used their speeches to similarly target the administration and Ice.

British singer Olivia Dean used her acceptance speech for Best New Artist to highlight that she was the granddaughter of immigrants in a rather pointed statement to which she received a loud round of applause.

Soon after, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny took to the stage to deliver the most impactful criticism of the night.

He said: "Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out."

After receiving a standing ovation, he went on: "We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans."

Elsewhere, Billie Eilish took to the stage after winning Best Song of the Year and urged those protesting Ice to continue.

"No one is illegal on stolen land," she also commented, to rapturous applause in the auditorium.

While the mutual back-slapping may have been evident inside the arena, several critics had grown tired of the politically charged statements during - what should've been - a celebration of music.

Bad Bunny #GRAMMYs: “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say, ‘ICE out!’” pic.twitter.com/YDjT6NMgPF

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) February 2, 2026

So much so, social media was soon flooded with angry viewers who turned off the entire thing.

"So far, the Grammys are an absolute woke far-left-leaning shill of a music award show," one X user fumed. "It's a group of rich people who only sway one side politically, forcing their point of view upon us peasants."

A second added: "I tried to watch. Then you make political statements. Turned it off after 10 minutes. Another year of garbage."

"The social justice warrior grandstanding bulls**t at the #GRAMMYs is just further evidence of why no one watches this trash anymore," a third raged.

And a fourth took aim at Mr Noah's Ms Minaj swipes, in particular: "#GRAMMYs is another far left woke bs awards show. Based, beautiful, and smart Nicki Minaj has every right to be #MAGA! It takes guts and strength to go up against the dark establishment! Not everyone is a brainwashed by corporate tv idiot!" (sic)

The criticism kept coming from a fifth who slammed: "Of course woke Grammys that no one cares about supports liberal rich music artists who want no enforcement of border laws. They want ice out criminals in. It’s beyond dumb and nobody’s watching #GRAMMYs."

"Why don’t we have balanced tv??" another X user questioned. "It’s all woke leftist... I mean come on... all late night shows .. SNL… Grammys .. the Super Bowl coming up .. the view … we need balance." (sic)

And a seventh fumed: "The #GRAMMYs are super woke this year. I’m thoroughly anti-woke at this point. Like STFU Billie Eilish. What do you know about politics?" (sic)

However, there were some viewers who applauded the "wokeness" of this year's awards, praising the attendees for using their platform to spout their political views.

One fan argued: "I’m not 'from' LA per se but having lived in Hollywood for a few years I couldn’t be happier and have more hometown pride seeing the #IceOut speeches and the freedom of speech these woke artists are utilizing. Bless them. #GRAMMYs."

And another agreed: "I love how woke the Grammys are this is exactly what we need mhmm #GRAMMYs2026 #GRAMMYs." (sic)