The comments, referencing the history of European colonization in North America, sparked a wave of reactions. Some praised her, while others questioned her stance, especially considering her $3 million Los Angeles mansion sits on the ancestral land of the Tongva people.
In response, a spokesperson for the Tongva tribe told The Daily Mail:
“We appreciate the opportunity to provide clarity regarding the recent comments made by Billie Eilish. 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 tribe added that they had reached out to Eilish’s team to “express our appreciation for her comments,” and emphasized the importance of explicitly referencing the Gabrieleno Tongva people in discussions about the Los Angeles area:
“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 Gabrieleno Tongva territory.”
Since the story spread online, more people are demanding that Eilish either give the property back to the tribe or at least use her sprawling mansion to shelter the migrants she has spoken out for. Political commentator Eric Daugherty, posting on X, suggested she should “give her mansion back” to the tribe:
“Americans are calling on Hollywood elitist Billie Eilish to RETURN her $14M LA mansion to the Tongva tribe after she claimed, ‘no one is illegal on stolen land.’ She could also graciously host illegal aliens in her mansion. After all, she has the moral high ground. Put up or shut the F up.”
Conservative voices highlighted the apparent contradiction between her criticism of ICE and her ownership of a lavish property:
”Any White person who does a public ‘stolen land’ acknowledgment should immediately give his or her land to Native Americans. Otherwise, they don’t mean it,” wrote Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.
”No one ever expounds on this ridiculous talking point. ‘No one is illegal on stolen land.’ Okay. So… the states and the union they created, along with every deed to property on the continent, is illegitimate. Why aren’t you acting accordingly? Donate everything and leave,” added Minnesota state Rep. Walter Hudson.
Others chimed in with sarcasm and ridicule.
Conservative commentator Greg Price joked: ”Wow! I really care about what people who live in multi-million dollar mansions, with gates and walls, and security guards to keep out intruders — living a life completely detached from normal Americans — think about illegal aliens being deported.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis weighed in, saying:
”Oh, gee, this ‘stolen land’ nonsense again? Maybe she should step up and forfeit her southern California mansion since it is supposedly on ‘stolen land.’”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded with a single word:
”Exactly.”
Eilish has long been vocal against ICE. She claimed that the agency has been involved in “kidnappings” and acts of violence against immigrants, and her statements at the Grammys reinforced her stance.
Her comments come amid ongoing national debates over immigration enforcement and high-profile ICE raids, including two recent Minneapolis incidents that resulted in the deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.