Bill Maher Criticizes Billie Eilish's Grammys Speech on Immigration

The 'Real Time' host calls out the singer's 'virtue-signaling' and lack of 'knowledge' on the issue.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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During his HBO show 'Real Time', host Bill Maher criticized singer Billie Eilish's anti-ICE speech at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Maher said Eilish 'doesn't know facts' and 'didn't go to school' before accusing her of 'virtue-signaling'. However, Maher agreed with Eilish's call to 'keep fighting and protesting and speaking up', adding that 'knowledge' is also important.

Why it matters

Maher's criticism of Eilish's politically-charged Grammys speech highlights the ongoing debate around celebrities using awards show platforms to voice political views. While Maher agreed with Eilish's overall message of activism, he took issue with her lack of 'knowledge' on the immigration issue, arguing that 'pronouncements' without 'real solutions' are 'all bulls--t'.

The details

During her acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammys, Billie Eilish condemned ICE and declared 'No one is illegal on stolen land.' Maher picked apart a transcript of Eilish's speech, saying 'You don't know facts' and 'You didn't go to school, I don't think, and you don't know facts.' However, Maher did agree with Eilish's call to 'Keep fighting and protesting and speaking up', adding 'And I would just say so does knowledge.' Maher also confronted his panel, asking 'What's the practical next step if you say there is no such thing as illegal people on stolen land? Do we just go back to living in teepees?'

  • Billie Eilish gave her acceptance speech at the 68th Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026.
  • Bill Maher criticized Eilish's speech during the February 6, 2026 episode of his HBO show 'Real Time'.

The players

Bill Maher

The host of the HBO political talk show 'Real Time with Bill Maher'.

Billie Eilish

The 24-year-old singer who won Song of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards and used her acceptance speech to condemn ICE.

Chris Christie

The former Republican Governor of New Jersey who appeared as a panelist on Maher's show.

Chrystia Freeland

The former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and self-identifying progressive who also appeared as a panelist on Maher's show.

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What they’re saying

“You don't know facts. You didn't go to school, I don't think, and you don't know facts.”

— Bill Maher, Host, 'Real Time with Bill Maher' (Real Time with Bill Maher)

“The fact is, it's a complicated history. People got screwed along the way. Yes, we agree with that. But if what we're going to do today is say these pronouncements and then have no real solution behind that pronouncement, it's all bulls--t.”

— Chris Christie, Former Governor of New Jersey (Real Time with Bill Maher)

“I thought it was powerful that some of those award winners at the Grammys did speak about ICE. And I agree with you broadly, Bill, that celebrities should not be the leaders of political movements. But I think it would have been wrong for them not to comment on this really horrible thing happening.”

— Chrystia Freeland, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (Real Time with Bill Maher)

The takeaway

Maher's criticism of Eilish's Grammys speech highlights the ongoing debate around whether celebrities should use high-profile platforms to voice political views, especially on complex issues like immigration where 'knowledge' and 'real solutions' may be lacking. While Maher agreed with Eilish's call for activism, he argued that 'virtue-signaling' without substantive policy proposals is ultimately 'all bulls--t'.