Finneas defends sister Billie Eilish over criticism from 'powerful old white men'

Billie Eilish used her winner’s speech at the Grammy Awards on Sunday (1 February) to criticise the increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Minneapolis.

The singer had picked up the ‘Song of the Year’ award for her single ‘Wildflower’ at the major night in music, when she said that ‘no one is illegal on stolen land’ (in reference to the colonisation of the Americas).

But the 24-year-old has faced criticism for her comments. And now her brother and collaborator, Finneas, has defended her against the ‘powerful old white men’.

The pair wore ‘ICE OUT’ badges as they took to the stage at the Grammys, with the singer saying she felt ‘really hopeful’ in the room, expressing a need to ‘keep fighting’.

"And f**k ICE, that's all I'm gonna say. Sorry!" Eilish concluded.

The pair aren't just brother and sister but music powerhouses, collaborating on all her albums. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Viewers in the divided US gave a mixed response to her speech, but the siblings have often been outspoken on political issues.

And Finneas has been clear in his stance in the growing tensions around ICE.

Following Eilish’s speech, he shared a post on Threads reading: “Seeing a lot of very powerful old white men outraged about what my 24-year-old sister said during her acceptance speech.

“We can literally see your names in the Epstein files.”

He also shared posts from others, including one which reads: “Every two weeks the most cartoonishly evil men on Earth get mad at Billie Eilish for saying ‘what if we could make the world a better place ’ lol.”

After Eilish’s speech referencing being on ‘stolen land’, people were quick to drag up that the singer’s reported $3 million (£2.1 million) family home in the Highland Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles sits on land originally belonging to the Tongva people.

Finneas said 'old white men' were outraged by his sister's comments. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

And a representative for them since confirmed this speculation, as they told MailOnline: "As the First People of the greater Los Angeles basin, we do understand that her home is situated in our ancestral land.

"Eilish has not contacted our tribe directly regarding her property, we do value the instance when Public Figures provide visibility to the true history of this country."

The Tongva people spokesperson expressed ‘appreciation’ for Eilish’s statement as they urged her and others to include reference to their nation.

"It is our hope that in future discussions, the tribe can explicitly be referenced to ensure the public understands that the greater Los Angeles basin remains Gabrielino Tongva territory," the spokesperson added.

LADbible Group contacted representatives for Eilish for comment.