Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Billie Eilish urges billionaires to donate wealth at WSJ Awards
Billie Eilish, a famous singer, received an award at a fancy event.
During her speech, she talked about how much the world needs help right now.
She looked at the very rich people in the audience, like the boss of Facebook, and asked them to share their lots of money with people who don't have enough.
Billie believes that if they give their money away, it can help solve big problems.
She even showed she believes this herself by giving away a lot of money she earned from her music tours to help with the environment and make sure people have food.
While many people online liked her message, some people didn't agree, and a few thought she might be talking about other famous singers.
Mark Zuckerberg, one of the billionaires present, reportedly did not clap when she made her comments.
Billie Eilish received the Music Innovator Award at the WSJ Magazine’s Innovator Awards.
During her acceptance speech, she directly addressed billionaires, urging them to 'give your money away.'
Eilish revealed she had donated $11.5 million from her recent tour earnings to support causes like climate justice and food equity.
Billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan were in attendance; Zuckerberg reportedly did not applaud Eilish's comments.
The singer's remarks divided internet users, with some praising her and others criticizing the substance and intent behind her message.
- Who
- Billie Eilish, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, other attendees
- What
- Billie Eilish won the Music Innovator Award and used her acceptance speech to urge billionaires to donate their wealth, stating 'give your money away, shorties.' She also revealed a $11.5 million donation from her tour earnings.
- When
- The WSJ Magazine’s Innovator Awards
- Where
- The WSJ Magazine’s Innovator Awards
- Why
- To advocate for the wealthy to use their resources for good and help those in need, addressing the world's current struggles.
Billie Eilish's Remarks & Actions
Public & Internet Reactions
Call to action for billionaires
Billie Eilish's Remarks & Actions
Billie Eilish directly asked billionaires present, including Mark Zuckerberg, 'Why are you a billionaire?' and urged them to 'give your money away, shorties.' She also highlighted her own substantial donation to environmental and food equity causes.
Public & Internet Reactions
Some internet users praised Eilish for her outspokenness and for using her platform to highlight wealth inequality and advocate for philanthropy. Others criticized her comments, questioning the practicality and sincerity of her call, with some speculating it was a veiled jab at other wealthy artists.
Mark Zuckerberg's Reaction
Billie Eilish's Remarks & Actions
Mark Zuckerberg, a billionaire in attendance, reportedly did not clap following Eilish's specific comments about donating wealth, according to an eyewitness.
Public & Internet Reactions
While Zuckerberg's lack of applause was noted, his wife Priscilla Chan, also a billionaire and honoree, was recognized for her significant philanthropic work through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, indicating a broader context of wealth being directed towards societal causes by some present.
- Event
- WSJ Magazine’s Innovator Awards
- Award Recipient
- Billie Eilish
- Billie Eilish's Award
- Music Innovator Award
- Billie Eilish's Donation
- $11.5 million
- Donation Causes
- Food equity, climate justice, reducing carbon pollution, combating climate change
- Notable Billionaire Attendees
- Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan
Sources
Billie Eilish’s brave callout to world’s wealthiest at WSJ awards wins internet: ‘Give your money away, shorties!’
‘Why are you a billionaire?’: Singer Billie Eilish takes a dig at the rich, her ‘give money away’ comment divides Internet
