Famed director Pedro Almodovar says Hollywood should protest more against Trump's 'totalitarian regime'

Famed Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar has said that Hollywood should protest against what he called the "totalitarian regime" of Trump more, saying that there was not enough protesting taking place at this year’s Oscars.

Speaking with the LA Times, he said, "You know, I’m not really blaming anyone in particular, but it was quite notable watching the Oscar telecast where there were not many protests against the war or against Trump." He added, "Maybe he wasn’t the only one, but the only real example I can remember came from a European, a friend of mine, Javier Bardem, who did directly say, ‘Free Palestine.’"

“People are obviously very frightened. The US is not a democracy right now. Some people say it’s maybe an imperfect democracy, but I really don’t think the US is a democracy right now. The heartbreaking and ironic thing is that democracy has given rise, through the proper, right voting mechanism, to this kind of totalitarian regime. And it’s both a paradox and it’s also incredibly sad," he continued.

At the 2026 awards, however, signs of protest were rampant on the red carpet. Author and activist Glennon Doyle sported a "f*ck ICE" clutch, singer Sara Bareilles wore an "ICE Out" pin," and Bridgerton actress Charithra Chandran wore an "Artists4Ceasefire" pin. The group Artists4Ceasefire calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza war, which was reached in October.

Displays by Hollywood elite extend beyond the Oscars. At the Golden Globes in January, celebrities were seen sporting a pin that read "Be Good" in support of Renee Good, the anti-ICE agitator who was fatally shot in Minneapolis after hitting a federal agent with her car.

At the Grammys, Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny opened his acceptance speech by saying, "Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ICE out." Billie Eilish also spoke against ICE in her acceptance speech at the award ceremony, telling the crowd, “No one is illegal on stolen land,” and encouraging people to “keep fighting and speaking up and protesting, and our voices really do matter, and the people matter, and f*ck ICE. That’s all I’m going to say.”