Hannah Einbinder’s Emmy Speech: A Bold Blend of Triumph and Activism
Hannah Einbinder’s Emmy Speech: A Bold Blend of Triumph and Activism
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| hannah einbinder emmy speech |
Los Angeles, CA — September 14, 2025
At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, Hannah Einbinder didn’t just win her first Emmy—she seized the moment to make one of the night’s most politically charged statements. Accepting the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Ava Daniels in HBO’s Hacks, Einbinder delivered a speech that was equal parts gratitude, humor, and defiant activism.
After four consecutive nominations, Einbinder finally took home the gold. She opened her speech with self-deprecating wit, joking about her previous losses:
“I was just really committed to the personal narrative that it was actually cooler to continue to lose. But this is cool too! This is also punk rock.”
She thanked the creators of Hacks—Jen Statsky, Paul W. Downs, and Lucia Aniello—for “changing my life in every conceivable way,” and praised her co-star Jean Smart as “like a sun, and I just get to stand in her warmth”.
Then came the moment that lit up social media and stirred controversy. As her 45-second speech neared its end, Einbinder closed with:
“Go Birds, f*** ICE, and free Palestine”.
The profanity was censored on the live CBS broadcast, but the message was unmistakable. Her shout-out to the Philadelphia Eagles (who had won earlier that day) quickly gave way to a fiery denunciation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a call for Palestinian liberation.
Backstage, Einbinder elaborated on her remarks, citing friends working as medical volunteers in Gaza and emphasizing her identity as a Jewish American:
“I feel like it is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the state of Israel… Our religion and our culture is separate from that ethno-nationalist state”.
She also reaffirmed her support for the Film Workers for Palestine pledge, signed by over 4,000 Hollywood professionals, which calls for a boycott of Israeli film institutions deemed complicit in the Gaza conflict1.
Einbinder’s speech wasn’t just a personal milestone—it became a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over celebrity activism. While some praised her courage, others criticized the politicization of an entertainment event. Paramount, the parent company of CBS, later issued a statement opposing the boycott movement, saying it “does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace”.
Still, Einbinder’s words echoed far beyond the Peacock Theater. In a year where many stars wore red Artists4Ceasefire pins and spoke out on global issues, her speech stood out for its unapologetic clarity.
Hannah Einbinder’s Emmy moment was more than a win—it was a declaration. In a glittering room full of scripted praise and polished performances, she chose to speak from the heart, reminding viewers that even in comedy, there’s room for conviction.