Actress Hannah Einbinder used her first Emmy acceptance speech to oppose ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, shouting “Free Palestine” after winning the award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Einbinder, who is Jewish, took the stage in Los Angeles to accept her award and went beyond the recommended 45-second limit.
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Her decision to close with the pro-Palestinian slogan drew attention across social media and news outlets.
Charity donation impact
The extended speech came with a catch. Host Nate Bargatze had pledged a $100,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with $1,000 deducted for every second winners exceeded their time.
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Einbinder’s remarks pushed her over the limit, but she promised during her speech that she would personally pay the difference to ensure the charity received the full amount.
Background on Emmy rule
At the start of the ceremony, Bargatze explained the donation incentive: “Every second you go over, we take away $1,000 from the Boys & Girls Club. I’m not taking it away — it’s you,” he said in an interview with USA Today.
The lighthearted challenge was meant to keep speeches concise, but Einbinder’s decision highlighted how the Emmys stage continues to serve as a platform for political and social messages.
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