Billie Eilish's Brother Defends Her Anti-ICE Grammys Speech

Finneas O'Connell slams 'powerful old white men' who criticized Eilish's remarks about 'stolen land'.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Billie Eilish's brother and musical collaborator Finneas O'Connell took to social media to defend his sister after she received backlash for speaking out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during her Grammys acceptance speech. Eilish said 'No one is illegal on stolen land' and 'Fuck ICE', prompting criticism from right-wing figures like Senator Ted Cruz and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. O'Connell accused the 'powerful old white men' of being 'outraged' and suggested they were named in the Epstein files.

Why it matters

Eilish's comments at the Grammys highlighted the ongoing debate around immigration policy and the history of land ownership in the United States. Her remarks drew strong reactions from conservative politicians and commentators, reflecting the polarized nature of these issues in American politics.

The details

During her Grammys acceptance speech, Eilish said 'No one is illegal on stolen land' and added 'Fuck ICE'. This prompted backlash from right-wing figures like Senator Ted Cruz and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who accused Eilish of being 'corrupt' and suggested she should 'give up' her 'Southern California mansion' since it is on 'stolen land'. Eilish's brother Finneas O'Connell defended her, slamming the 'powerful old white men' who were 'outraged' by her comments and suggesting they were named in the Epstein files.

  • Eilish made the remarks during her Grammys acceptance speech on February 2, 2026.
  • O'Connell posted his defense of Eilish on Threads on February 5, 2026.

The players

Billie Eilish

A 24-year-old American singer-songwriter who won the Grammy for Song of the Year at the 2026 ceremony.

Finneas O'Connell

Eilish's brother and musical collaborator who defended her Grammys speech on social media.

Ted Cruz

A Republican senator from Texas who criticized Eilish's remarks about America being 'fundamentally illegitimate'.

Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida who mocked Eilish's 'stolen land' comments and suggested she should give up her home.

Tongva Tribe

The indigenous tribe whose ancestral land Eilish's home is located on, and who appreciated her comments while requesting she explicitly reference them in the future.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing a lot of very powerful old white men outraged about what my 24 year old sister said during her acceptance speech. We can literally see your names in the Epstein files.”

— Finneas O'Connell, Billie Eilish's brother and musical collaborator (Threads)

“I will say, at the Grammys, when you see an entertainer say, 'Nobody is illegal while we're on stolen land' and then you see entertainers leap to their feet so excitedly at the notion that America is fundamentally illegitimate, it starts to convey the entertainment world is deeply corrupt.”

— Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas (Senate Antitrust Hearing)

“Oh, gee, this 'stolen land' nonsense again? Maybe she should step up and forfeit her Southern California mansion since it is supposedly on 'stolen land.'”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida (X)

What’s next

The Tongva tribe has reached out to Eilish's team to express their appreciation for her comments and request that she explicitly reference their tribe in future discussions about the history of the land.

The takeaway

Eilish's anti-ICE speech at the Grammys sparked a heated debate about immigration, land rights, and the role of celebrities in political discourse. Her brother's defense of her remarks highlights the polarized nature of these issues, with conservatives accusing Eilish of being 'corrupt' while the indigenous Tongva tribe appreciated her visibility on the true history of the land.