Hollywood hoisted a white flag in the culture war on Sunday at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. The movie industry’s typically bold display of progressive politics was noticeably absent this year, leaving many to speculate if this marks a shift away from its strong stance against President-elect Donald Trump.
In years past, the Globes stage has been a platform for Hollywood stars to vocally express their views on politics and social issues. However, this year’s ceremony was more subdued, with the hosts avoiding hot-button topics and celebrities limiting their comments to apolitical statements.
Even when politics were discussed, the comments were largely muted. Nikki Glaser’s monologue briefly addressed Trump’s re-election, but the conversation quickly shifted away from politics to focus on the awards themselves.
Some speculate that this change in tone may be due to a reluctance among Hollywood’s elite to publicly take on Trump and his supporters, given the backlash many have faced in the past. Actress Rachel Zegler was forced to apologize for her comments against Trump on social media, leading some to advise clients to avoid politics altogether.
Despite the notable lack of political commentary, some award winners did use their platform to address social issues. Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of the film “Emilia Perez,” used her acceptance speech to advocate for trans rights and call on her audience to “raise your voice.”
Ultimately, the Globes have always been more about spectacle and celebration than straightforward activism. Whether the industry’s apparent shift away from politics is a permanent change remains to be seen.