During the 2025 Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga criticised President Donald Trump. There were numerous allusions to recent Trump remarks or policies throughout the evening.
Trevor Noah, the host of the Grammy Awards, and Shakira, the singer, both mentioned immigration.
However, Lady Gaga’s call was arguably the most forceful. This noteworthy occasion happened when Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars accepted their Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo or Group Performance for the song “Die With a Smile.”
As part of her acceptance speech, Gaga expressed her love for the trans community. “Transgender individuals are not invisible,” she asserted. Transgender persons are worthy of love. The LGBT community is deserving of recognition. “Music is love.”
Trump was not expressly mentioned by Gaga. She didn’t have to, though. Everyone in attendance at the awards event and everyone on the internet understood exactly who she was referring about.
Trump’s attacks on the trans community are not new. During his presidential campaign last year, he ran on a number of ideas that LGBTQ+ groups claimed would hurt transgender people nationwide.
Lady Gaga: “Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love, the queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you.” #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/aoAOZ1njAl
— Variety (@Variety) February 3, 2025
During his first week back in the White House, Trump made numerous statements disparaging trans and nonbinary individuals.
Most famously, on his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order declaring that only male and female were recognised in the United States.
Many others praised Gaga’s message and her criticism of the president right away. During the ceremony, the audience cheered, but the pop star’s speech also became popular on X very fast.
Gaga is an LGBTQ+ person and has long advocated for transgender rights. She has also been outspoken in her criticism of Trump.
She publicly expressed her disapproval of him winning the election just last week, saying she “prayed” he would lose to Vice President Kamala Harris.
In a recent interview, Gaga discussed how Trump cannot destroy the LGBTQ+ and trans populations.
This merely serves to remind me how vital we are to one another and how crucial it is that we help one another. Many individuals, including myself, support [the LGBTQ and other marginalised] populations. Additionally, we’re not going down without a fight,” she said.
Gaga also said, “We’ll remain united. It will be challenging, but I’m willing to attempt it. We’re willing to do it. I also want everyone to understand how much they are loved and that they are not invisible.
Gaga wasn’t the only Grammy winner to advocate for transgender rights. Chappell Roan also made a subtle jab at Trump while talking about how “brutal” life was for LGBTQ+ people in America at the moment.
“Trans people have existed and will continue to exist, and they will never, no matter what, take trans joy away,” Roan stated on the red carpet prior to the event.
“It’s brutal right now, but trans people have always existed and they will forever exist. They will never take trans joy away, and that has to be protected more than anything. I’m trying my best to really stand up for you.”
— Chappell Roan’s interview for GLAAD at the #GRAMMYs. pic.twitter.com/BW1q7cAo4D
— best of chappell roan (@bestofchappell) February 3, 2025
Additionally, Roan stated, “I wouldn’t be here without trans girls, so know that pop music is thinking of you and cares about you, and I’m doing everything in my power to support you.”
Since Trump took office, the 2025 Grammys ceremony will be the first significant awards show.
Many Hollywood award presentations were crowded with people criticising the president for a large portion of his first term.
Callouts were less common during President Joe Biden’s administration because they were more likely to be Democrats.
However, with Trump back in the White House, award presentations might once more feature celebrities and musicians publicly opposing or defying Trump.