Jamie Kennedy is not mincing words — and he’s taking direct aim at Hollywood’s loudest red-carpet activists.
The 55-year-old comedian appeared Tuesday on Jack Osbourne’s “Trying Not to Die” podcast and delivered a blistering critique of celebrities who condemn ICE and warn of “authoritarianism” while standing beneath flashing cameras, dressed in designer fashion, and flanked by personal security teams.
Kennedy zeroed in on what he sees as a glaring contradiction. When actors proclaim that America is descending into a “fascist regime,” he argued, they are doing so from the safest and most privileged platforms imaginable. “You can’t say you’re under authoritarian rule when you’re literally being authoritarian,” he said, framing the issue as one of hypocrisy rather than politics.
His comments bring attention to a broader cultural divide over immigration enforcement — particularly surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has become a lightning rod for celebrity criticism in recent years.
Kennedy suggested that protests against ICE ignore what he characterizes as the agency’s core mission: enforcing immigration laws and removing criminal offenders from the country. “They’re trying to get rid of the criminals,” he said. “Let’s adhere to the laws to what we have.”
The comedian’s frustration appears to stem not just from policy disagreements, but from the setting in which these criticisms are delivered. Award shows and film festivals, he argued, are hardly the battlegrounds of oppressed citizens. Instead, they are elite gatherings insulated by wealth and security.
Kennedy challenged outspoken entertainers to take their activism beyond microphones and velvet ropes. His message: if you feel that strongly, “get on the front line” rather than venting at luxury venues like Sundance.
The debate reignited after actress Natasha Rothwell went off-script during the Independent Spirit Awards. While presenting an award, the “White Lotus” star abruptly declared, “F—k ICE,” drawing cheers from the audience. The moment quickly circulated online, adding fuel to an already heated national conversation.
Rothwell joins a growing list of high-profile figures — including Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny — who have publicly criticized immigration enforcement efforts. Their remarks have resonated strongly with progressive audiences but have also sparked backlash from critics who argue that the rhetoric oversimplifies a complex legal and humanitarian issue.