Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Billie Eilish Urges Billionaires to Give Away Wealth at WSJ Innovator Awards, With Mark Zuckerberg in the Room

The singer paired the call with a $11.5 million tour donation to The Changemaker Program to support food equity, climate justice, carbon reduction.

Overview

  • Stephen Colbert announced onstage that Eilish is allocating $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to vetted groups through The Changemaker Program.
  • During her acceptance speech, Eilish asked ultra-wealthy attendees to increase their giving, telling the room, “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?”
  • Mark Zuckerberg attended with Priscilla Chan, and an eyewitness cited by People said he did not clap after Eilish’s remarks, which drew light applause.
  • The donation targets organizations addressing food insecurity and the climate crisis, aligning with Eilish’s tour practices such as plant-based catering, recycled merch and biodegradable confetti.
  • Coverage noted Zuckerberg and Chan’s prior pledges and lifetime philanthropy through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, including a public commitment to give away 99% of their Meta shares.