Alicia Keys Mocked For Saying ‘DEI Is Not A Threat, It’s A Gift’ During Grammys Speech

During Sunday’s 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony, several artists promoted woke ideology, including winner Alicia Keys, who claimed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is actually a good thing. 

The 44-year-old singer took to the stage after winning the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. 

“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices we’ve seen on this stage,” Keys said during her acceptance speech. “We’ve seen on this stage talented, hardworking people from different backgrounds with different points of view, and it changes the game.”

The singer added, “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.”

“And the more voices, the more powerful the sound. When destructive forces try to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a phoenix, and as you see tonight, music is the unstoppable language that connects us all,” Keys continued, urging viewers to have “empathy” and “compassion.”

Keys’ comments appeared to be directed at President Donald Trump, who has been speaking out against DEI initiatives that ignore qualifications or aptitude while emphasizing factors like race and gender. 

Many X users shot back against Keys, saying DEI is unfair. 

“She is correct; [DEI] is a gift to people who did not earn it,” one reply said.

“Keyword ‘gift.’ No job should be a gift. Should be earned,” another person echoed.

“Meritocracy built the West, not DEI,” a third person wrote. “When people are chosen based on race and identity rather than skill and talent, society collapses. ‘Diversity’ isn’t the problem – forced diversity at the expense of excellence is.”

She wasn’t the only one who got political during the Grammy Awards. 

Lady Gaga won for best pop duo/group performance and used her acceptance speech to advocate for “trans people.”

“It’s such an honor to sing for all of you. I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible,” Gaga said as the crowd gave her a standing ovation.  “Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you.”

Pop singer Shakira seemed to reference President Trump’s recent crackdown on illegal immigration, shouting out her “immigrant brothers and sisters” during her acceptance speech for best Latin pop album. The Colombian singer continued, “You’re loved and worth it, and I’ll fight with you.”

Chappell Roan performed her song “Pink Pony Club” at the event, and her dancers waved the pink, white, and blue transgender flag. Before entering the venue, she spoke with GLAAD about Trump’s executive order proclaiming that the government would only recognize two biological sexes.

Roan, who identifies as “demisexual,” told the outlet: “It’s brutal right now, but trans people have always existed, and they will forever exist, and they will never no matter what happens take trans joy away, and that has to be protected more than anything.”

“I would not be here without trans girls,” Roan continued. “So just know that pop music is thinking about you and cares about you and I’m trying my best to stand up for you in every way that I can.”