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Minnesota state Representative Walter Hudson added: “No one ever expounds on this ridiculous talking point. ‘No one is illegal on stolen land.’ Okay. So… the states and the union they created, along with every deed to property on the continent, is illegitimate. Why aren’t you acting accordingly? Donate everything and leave.”
These statements reflect a broader debate over the relationship between historical injustices and contemporary actions, raising questions about what it means to acknowledge historical wrongs while living comfortably on the land in question.
Other Political Responses
The controversy also drew comments from high-profile figures. Conservative commentator Greg Price quipped: “Wow! I really care about what people who live in multi-million-dollar mansions, with gates and walls, and security guards to keep out intruders — living a life completely detached from normal Americans — think about illegal aliens being deported.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis weighed in, expressing skepticism about Eilish’s public acknowledgment: “Oh, gee, this ‘stolen land’ nonsense again? Maybe she should step up and forfeit her southern California mansion since it is supposedly on ‘stolen land.’”
Even Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, responded with a single word: “Exactly.”
These reactions underscore how celebrity political commentary — particularly when it intersects with personal wealth — can ignite national debate, often becoming a proxy for broader cultural conflicts around land, immigration, and history.
Eilish’s History of Activism
Eilish has long been vocal about her political views and social justice causes, particularly regarding immigration enforcement and the treatment of undocumented individuals in the United States.
She has criticized ICE for actions she characterizes as violent or coercive, including the agency’s role in high-profile raids that have, in some cases, resulted in the deaths of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, such as Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. “ICE has been involved in kidnappings, raids, and acts of violence against immigrants,” Eilish has stated in interviews over the past several years.
Her Grammy speech reinforced this stance, linking historical injustice — the colonization and theft of Indigenous land — with contemporary immigration issues. She argued implicitly that the moral authority of the United States is complicated by both its history and present-day policies.
The Legacy of Tongva Land
The Gabrieleno Tongva people are the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles basin, with a history stretching back thousands of years. Before Spanish colonization, the Tongva had a rich culture of trade, agriculture, and community organization.
With the arrival of European settlers in the 18th century, the Tongva experienced displacement, disease, and systemic cultural erasure.
Today, while the Tongva lack federal recognition as a sovereign tribe — a status that complicates land claims and legal authority — they continue to advocate for recognition, cultural preservation, and acknowledgment of historical injustices.
