Los Angeles, CA – Comedian Jamie Kennedy unleashed a sharp critique of Hollywood celebrities opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a recent podcast appearance, accusing them of hypocrisy for voicing their views from the safety of red carpet events while enjoying private security.
Kennedy, 55, made the comments on Tuesday during an episode of Jack Osbourne’s “Trying Not to Die” podcast, where he targeted liberal stars who, according to him, complain about living under a “fascist regime” despite their insulated lifestyles. “When you have actors from the red carpet of an award show” saying things like “we’re under a fascist regime” and raising alarms about “authoritarianism,” Kennedy said, they “couldn’t be more clueless.” He emphasized the irony, adding, “You can’t say you’re under authoritarian rule when you’re literally being authoritarian.”
The remarks come amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly following the re-election of President Donald Trump in November 2024, which has renewed debates about ICE's role in deportations and border security. ICE, a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including the detention and removal of undocumented individuals. Critics, including many in Hollywood, have accused the agency of overreach and human rights violations, while supporters argue it is essential for upholding the rule of law.
Kennedy specifically called out the practice of protesting ICE, describing it as “bizarre” given what he sees as the agency's focus on “trying to get rid of the criminals” in the country. “Let’s adhere to the laws to what we have,” he urged, framing immigration enforcement as a straightforward matter of legal compliance. His frustration peaked when discussing one unnamed actor's anti-ICE statements, to whom he reportedly responded internally with, “B****, shut the f*** up!”
The comedian's podcast appearance follows a string of high-profile celebrity outbursts against ICE at recent award shows. At the Independent Spirit Awards held in Santa Monica, California, on February 15, 2025, actress Natasha Rothwell, known for her role in HBO's “The White Lotus,” deviated from her script while presenting an award. “Hi, everyone! I’m going to go to the prompter, but I just want to say, ‘f—k ICE,’” Rothwell declared, according to reports from the event. The comment drew cheers from the audience, amplifying the growing chorus of Hollywood voices critical of the agency.
Rothwell's remarks were not isolated. Pop star Billie Eilish and reggaeton artist Bad Bunny have also publicly attacked ICE's operations in recent months. Eilish, during a concert in Los Angeles last December, paused her performance to speak out against what she called “inhumane” deportation policies, while Bad Bunny used his social media platforms in January 2025 to share videos protesting ICE raids in immigrant communities. These statements have fueled a broader cultural divide, with some viewing them as bold activism and others, like Kennedy, as out-of-touch rhetoric.
Kennedy's broader message to these celebrities is one of action over words. He advised those upset about immigration enforcement to “get on the frontline” rather than “cry about it from luxury film festivals such as Sundance.” The Sundance Film Festival, held annually in Park City, Utah, has long been a platform for socially conscious filmmakers and stars, but Kennedy suggested it represents the privilege from which such criticisms often emanate.
The podcast episode, hosted by Jack Osbourne – son of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne and a vocal advocate for various social issues – aired on February 17, 2025, just days after the Spirit Awards. Osbourne did not directly respond to Kennedy's comments during the discussion, but the platform has previously featured guests debating politics and culture. Kennedy, best known for films like “Malibu's Most Wanted” and his long-running sketch show “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment,” has increasingly leaned into political commentary in recent years, often aligning with conservative viewpoints on issues like immigration and free speech.
Hollywood's engagement with immigration policy dates back decades, but it has intensified since the Trump administration's first term, when celebrities like Alyssa Milano and Mark Ruffalo organized fundraisers for immigrant rights groups. More recently, with Trump's return to the White House, organizations such as the ACLU have reported a surge in ICE activities, including workplace raids and family separations, prompting renewed celebrity involvement. According to ICE data released in January 2025, the agency conducted over 150,000 removals in the fiscal year ending September 2024, a figure that supporters cite as evidence of effective enforcement.
Critics of ICE, including Rothwell, argue that such operations disproportionately affect non-criminal immigrants and contribute to a climate of fear in communities. Rothwell, in post-awards interviews, elaborated on her comments, stating that her outburst was a spontaneous reaction to “the real human cost” of enforcement policies. “It's not just about laws; it's about lives,” she said in a statement to Variety magazine on February 16, 2025.
Meanwhile, Kennedy's perspective resonates with those who see celebrity activism as performative. In a separate interview with Fox News earlier this month, he reiterated his stance, noting that many of these stars live in gated communities patrolled by private security – a level of protection he contrasts with the vulnerabilities faced by everyday Americans. “They're preaching from glitzy Hollywood red carpets,” Kennedy said, echoing his podcast remarks.
The divide highlights a larger cultural schism in the entertainment industry, where political expressions at events like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and now the Spirit Awards have become commonplace. Last year's Academy Awards featured multiple speeches on immigration, drawing both applause and backlash. Industry analysts, such as those from Nielsen, report that such moments boost viewership among polarized audiences, though they risk alienating segments of the public.
As immigration remains a flashpoint in U.S. politics, with Congress debating comprehensive reform bills expected in the spring of 2025, Kennedy's call for celebrities to engage more directly could influence how stars approach activism. Whether more will heed his advice to “get on the frontline” or continue using high-profile platforms remains to be seen. For now, the debate underscores the tension between fame, privilege, and public policy in America's ongoing conversation about borders and belonging.
ICE officials have not commented directly on Kennedy's remarks or the celebrity criticisms, but agency spokesperson Nicole de la Garza stated in a January 2025 press release that “ICE's mission is to protect national security and public safety by enforcing federal immigration laws impartially.” Advocacy groups like United We Dream, which supports undocumented youth, have praised Rothwell and others for raising awareness, reporting a 20% increase in donations following the Spirit Awards incident.
Looking ahead, upcoming events like the Oscars on March 2, 2025, may provide further stages for these discussions. Kennedy, meanwhile, is promoting his latest stand-up special, set for release on Netflix next month, where he promises to tackle “the absurdities of modern life” – likely including more jabs at cultural elites.