Emmys face backlash for ignoring Charlie Kirk’s death while spotlighting other political moments

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, held on September 14, drew sharp criticism for avoiding any mention of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, a prominent MAGA figure, was shot and killed on September 10 while hosting an event at a university in Utah. Although Emmys 2025 host Nate Bargatze said beforehand that he planned to steer clear of political topics during the ceremony, several politically charged moments still made it into the show.

Meanwhile, other major events, including NFL games and concerts, publicly honored Kirk. The eminent awards program's silence stood in stark contrast, sparking backlash across social media.

Emmys host Nate Bargatze wanted the night to be an escape

In a pre-show interview, host Nate Bargatze said he deliberately planned to steer clear of political topics during the ceremony.

“I know there’s heartbreaking stuff happening right now, but I want this night to be an escape, and I think that’s why I was brought on,” Bargatze told Entertainment Weekly. Bargatze emphasized that he had no intention of straying from his established persona.

“I think a lot of people are watching, I know they watch my stand-up for that reason, so I just don’t want to break that trust I have with them. I just want the night to be a fun night,” he noted. 

While he acknowledged the tragedy of Kirk’s killing during the interview, calling it “the saddest thing in the world,” Bargatze made it clear there were no last-minute changes to the show’s script to address the incident.

Political moments dominated speeches and red carpet appearances

Although the Emmys made no mention of Charlie Kirk’s killing, the event still featured several politically charged moments both on the red carpet and during the ceremony.

While accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, 'Hacks' star Hannah Einbinder ended her speech with the statement: “F**k ICE and free Palestine!”

Onstage, Television Academy Board of Governors Chair Cris Abrego spoke about the importance of storytelling in a divided country.

“At a time when division dominates the headlines, storytelling still has the power to unite us,” Abrego said. “All of us in this room must continue to champion that power and wield it responsibly in moments like this. Neutrality is not enough. We must be voices for connection, inclusion, and empathy because we know that culture doesn’t come from the top down, it rises from the bottom up."

Actor Javier Bardem also used his red carpet appearance to make a political statement.

Speaking with Variety reporter Marc Malkin, Bardem explained the significance of the keffiyeh scarf he wore: “Here I am today, denouncing the genocide in Gaza. I am talking about the IAGS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, who study genocide and have declared it is a genocide. That’s why we ask for a commercial and diplomatic blockade and also sanctions on Israel to stop the genocide. Free Palestine."

Backlash erupts over silence on Charlie Kirk’s killing

The Emmys' silence on Charlie Kirk's killing, despite allowing other political messages onstage and on the red carpet, sparked immediate backlash online.

Many users took to social media to criticize what they saw as a double standard. One commenter wrote, “Yet they made sure to talk about Palestine.” Another added, “Media totally avoiding real issues happening right now. Typical Hollywood deflection from serious events. 🙄.”

Another viewer expressed disappointment in the ceremony’s tone: “That’s why last night’s Emmys sucked so hard. We had ceasefire, but no one said anything about his death. No one honored his death."

Some directed frustration at host Nate Bargatze. “I’m surprised @natebargatze. Why wouldn’t he stay strong about it? He knows Charlie was a Christian and I think he is. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything, even that."

Others didn’t hold back. “That is just horrible. People should stop watching these entertainment award shows,” one angry user wrote.

Another simply said, “Disgusting. Screw the Emmys. God bless Charlie Kirk — we miss you.”

Short, sharp reactions also poured in: “Disgraceful.” “Shame on all of them.” “Wow! Another example of the great divide in the USA.”

One user questioned the inconsistency: “But it’s all Palestine, so how did it escape current events?"

Sports and music events pay tribute to Charlie Kirk

Several major sports teams and music artists paid tribute to Charlie Kirk in the days following his death.

During the September 11 NFL matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders, the stadium observed a moment of silence in Kirk’s honor before kickoff. Other NFL teams, including the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys, also held similar tributes during their games.

The music world followed suit, with notable performances from Coldplay, country star Morgan Wallen, and Jason Aldean, all of whom honored Kirk with emotional tributes during their recent concerts.

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