Einbinder’s Defiant Speech
LOS ANGELES — Hacks star Hannah Einbinder dashed any hope of an apolitical night at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards when she accepted her award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. “F— ICE, free Palestine,” she declared, earning a roaring ovation from the audience. The CBS broadcast censored her language, but the impact of her statement reverberated throughout the ceremony.
Backstage, Einbinder explained her remarks, saying she has friends serving as frontline medical workers in Gaza. “It is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the state of Israel,” she said. “Our religion and our culture is such an important, long-standing institution that is really separate from this sort of ethnonationalist state.”
Einbinder also referenced her Philadelphia Eagles fandom, concluding part of her speech with a spirited “Go Birds,” which tied humorously into the larger political context of her statement.
A Politically Charged Ceremony
This year’s Emmys were held under unusually tight security following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Many celebrities carefully measured their words, mindful of recent firings tied to public reactions to Kirk’s death.
Stephen Colbert, whose Late Show was recently canceled, provided another politically charged moment. While presenting an award, he joked, “Is anyone hiring?” highlighting both his own situation and the tense atmosphere surrounding the broadcast.
Other politically resonant moments came from Televison Academy chair Cris Abrego, who urged the industry to continue advocating for inclusion and societal progress, citing groundbreaking television history from All in the Family to South Park.
Bargatze’s Unconventional Hosting
Host Nate Bargatze opened the night with a sketch portraying Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of television. Eschewing a traditional monologue, Bargatze ran a comedic running gag pledging $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, adjusting the donation based on whether winners went over or under a 45-second time limit for speeches. Einbinder went over her time but pledged to cover the difference.
Top Honors of the Night
- Outstanding Drama Series: The Pitt (HBO Max)
- Outstanding Comedy Series: The Studio (Apple TV+)
- Outstanding Limited Series: Adolescence (Netflix)
- Outstanding Lead Actress, Comedy: Jean Smart (Hacks)
- Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy: Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
The 2025 Emmys balanced celebration, humor, and bold political statements, making the ceremony memorable both for its awards and its moments of outspoken advocacy.
