Could Billie Eilish’s ‘Stolen Land’ Debacle End Land Acknowledgements?

This isn’t 2020 anymore.

That was the year woke culture ruled with an iron fist. Comedians apologized for past jokes, show runners buried “problematic” sitcom episodes and Legacy Media outlets told us the raging BLM protests were “mostly peaceful.”

Singer Billie Eilish’s screed at Sunday’s Grammys telecast felt like a blast from that past. She used her podium time after winning Song of the Year honors for “Wildflowers” to protest ICE agents rounding up illegal immigrants.

“And as grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything but that no one is illegal on stolen land.”

Had Billie Eilish uncorked Sunday’s speech six years ago, the reaction would be near-unanimous praise.

Brave. Powerful. Stunning.

Necessary.

Not this time. New media outlets swiftly skewered the pop superstar’s virtue signal.

Several reporters noted her mansion sits on similarly “stolen land,” tracing it back to the Tongva tribe. A few intrepid scribes reached out to the tribe, allowing them to remind the singer that she’s as “guilty” as many of her fellow Americans.

“Eilish has not contacted our tribe directly regarding her property, we do value the instance when public figures provide visibility to the true history of this country,” a Tongva spokesperson told the Daily Mail.

“It is our hope that in future discussions, the tribe can explicitly be referenced to ensure the public understands that the greater Los Angeles Basin remains Gabrieleno Tongva territory,” the spokesperson added.

Sites like The New York Post and The Daily Wire often refute such celebrity claptrap. That happened again with Eilish’s statement. Social media lit up with cries of “hypocrisy,” too.

Billie Eilish calls America “stolen land”

Ok, Billie. Your $14,000,000 mansion in LA is built where the Tongva tribes once lived. Any plans on returning it?

pic.twitter.com/3qu0ubWX8G

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 2, 2026

The Grammys featured a “Stolen Land” argument from Billie Eilish and the fellas aren’t having any of it.

Stream @HolmesJosh, @ComfortablySmug, @MichaelDuncan and @JohnAshbrook on YouTube with all the best theater-kid protest moments on YouTube – link in replies. pic.twitter.com/BmzvaIkgf9

— Ruthless Podcast (@RuthlessPodcast) February 3, 2026

It didn’t end there.

Left-leaning outlets like Parade Magazine, Newsweek, Screen Rant and Yahoo! Entertainment also picked up the tribe’s comments. And, by extension, shredded the singer’s absurd statement.

Parade’s sub-head went for the kill shot: “The ‘Birds of a Feather’ singer lives on stolen land, literally.” 

The pop culture blowback could extend beyond music. The next time someone makes an absurd land acknowledgement speech, Eilish’s imbroglio will come to mind. And, perhaps, they’ll think twice before sharing it again.

Now, Eilish will suffer no professional repercussions for her daffy comments. Nor should she. Meanwhile, singer Nicki Minaji’s pro-Trump stance earned her a public attack on the Grammy stage that very night.

Trevor Noah attacks Nicki Minaj at the Grammy’s for supporting Trump Accounts and standing up for persecuted Nigerian Christians with President Trump.

Noah: “Nicki Minaj is not here. She is not here. She is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important… pic.twitter.com/ldfNY0Mdh5

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 2, 2026

The punishments may just be starting.

Still, the fact that the media actually did its job and didn’t let Eilish’s absurd rant go unchallenged suggests the media landscape, and culture at large, has come a long way, baby, from 2020.

Editor’s Note: It’s a brutal time to be an independent journalist, but it’s never been more necessary given the sorry state of the corporate press. If you’re enjoying Hollywood in Toto, I hope you’ll consider leaving a coin (or two) in our Tip Jar.