Hollywood proved once again last night that its priorities are badly out of step with the rest of America.
The 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards, held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, came and went without a single mention of Charlie Kirk, the conservative leader murdered just days ago.
The show, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, was supposed to be an “escape.” That’s what Bargatze promised in advance.
But it turns out Hollywood’s version of an escape still included political potshots. There were references to Gaza and immigration enforcement, yet not one second was spared to acknowledge Kirk’s brutal assassination.
For millions of conservatives, that silence spoke volumes.
Charlie Kirk was not a fringe figure. He founded Turning Point USA, built a nationwide student movement, and energized young conservatives in ways no one else has in decades.
According to surveys, his efforts helped raise Republican youth turnout by 6 percent nationally and by as much as 24 percent in swing states during the 2024 election.
Many believe that margin helped President Trump secure his second term.
And yet, as Sen. Ted Cruz pointed out, Hollywood couldn’t find time for even a brief acknowledgment.
On X, one user summed it up: “The Emmys Couldn’t Spare One Second for Charlie Kirk’s Murder – Hollywood’s Silence Is Deafening.”
What makes the silence even harder to stomach is the double standard.
When it suits the industry’s agenda, Hollywood doesn’t hesitate to get political.
Last night, some winners used their speeches to weigh in on Gaza or criticize ICE raids.
But remembering a young conservative leader, murdered in cold blood? That was apparently off-limits.
This selective outrage is exactly why so many Americans have tuned out awards shows altogether.
In fact, Nielsen data shows ratings for the Emmys have fallen by more than 60 percent over the past decade. The message from viewers is clear: stop lecturing us and start respecting us.
Kirk’s supporters have been blunt.
They’re calling Hollywood’s silence moral cowardice. Others are calling it a joke.
Across social media, the frustration was everywhere: “Guess how many references the Hollywood stars gave to Charlie Kirk last night? Zero.”
Compare that to the attention Kirk’s memorial is getting.
A service at State Farm Stadium on September 21, with President Trump scheduled to attend, has already drawn massive interest.
The contrast couldn’t be sharper: ordinary Americans are mourning, while Hollywood pretends nothing happened.
Some will say this is no big deal, that awards shows are just about entertainment. But that argument misses the point.
Hollywood has no problem turning entertainment into politics when it fits their narrative. They only hide behind the “it’s just a show” line when they want to avoid topics that make them uncomfortable.
This isn’t about demanding every tragedy get a spotlight. It’s about consistency and respect.
If Hollywood can use its stage to highlight causes overseas, it can acknowledge the murder of a major American political figure whose work shaped the last presidential election.
The Emmys’ silence also shows the growing divide between coastal elites and everyday Americans.
People see through the hypocrisy. They notice who gets remembered and who gets ignored.
And when Hollywood chooses politics over fairness, it only deepens that divide.
Critics on the Left may argue that the Emmys were right to avoid politics altogether. They’ll say mentioning Kirk would have been too controversial.
But that excuse rings hollow when the same show gave airtime to other political issues.
Hollywood had a chance to show basic decency last night. Instead, it showed its bias.
By refusing to mention Charlie Kirk, while giving room for selective political statements, the Emmys once again reminded Americans why they don’t trust the entertainment industry.
The truth is simple: millions of Americans care about Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy.
Hollywood didn’t have to agree with his politics to acknowledge his death. They just had to care enough to try. They didn’t.
And that silence is something viewers won’t forget.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
