Billie Eilish Calls Out Billionaires in Front of Mark Zuckerberg — Audience Reacts as He Stays Silent
The 23-year-old singer, who received the Music Innovator Award on Wednesday, October 29, used her time on stage at New York’s Museum of Modern Art to deliver a pointed message about empathy and wealth.
“We’re in a time right now where the world is really, really bad and really dark and people need empathy and help more than, kind of, ever, especially in our country,” she told the high-profile crowd. “I’d say if you have money, it would be great to use it for good things, maybe give it to some people that need it.”
Then came the remark that had the room buzzing. “Love you all, but there’s a few people in here that have a lot more money than me,” she said. “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.”
The comment drew a mix of laughter, applause, and awkward silence — particularly from one section of the audience. Among those present were Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, sitting near the front. According to an eyewitness, Zuckerberg, the third richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $257 billion, did not clap.
Chan was being honoured the same night as Philanthropy in Science Innovator of 2025, recognised for her work through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which funds scientific research and disease prevention. The couple have pledged to donate 99% of their Meta shares to charitable causes during their lifetimes.
Eilish’s remarks, however, hit a nerve — both for their boldness and their timing. Just before her speech, Stephen Colbert, who introduced her, announced that the singer was donating $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour to causes addressing climate justice, food equity, and carbon reduction.
“I also have the privilege of breaking a little news tonight,” Colbert said to applause. “Billie Eilish will be donating proceeds from her tour to support organizations, projects, and voices dedicated to food equity, climate justice, reducing carbon pollution, and combating the climate crisis. That donation, ladies and gentlemen, will be $11.5 million. That’s wonderful. Billie, on behalf of humans everywhere, thank you.”
Eilish, who attended the event with her mother Maggie Baird, wore a dark navy blazer and skirt combo, a grey sweater, and brown Oxford shoes — a preppy look that contrasted with her sharp message. Despite the tension her comments stirred, she appeared to enjoy herself later in the night, posing for photos with Hailey Bieber, a longtime family friend.
The moment has since gone viral, with fans praising Eilish for her fearless honesty. “She said what needed to be said — and said it to their faces,” one fan wrote online. Another added, “She’s the only one in that room who didn’t need to pretend everything’s fine.”
While Zuckerberg’s reaction — or lack thereof — has sparked debate, Eilish’s call for accountability among the ultra-wealthy underscored her message: in a world of rising inequality, even billionaires aren’t off-limits.