While the American Music Awards is designed to celebrate the best
in US music, many artists instead took the opportunity to comment on the
election of Donald Trump.
Green Day were perhaps the most vocal group on the night. During a pyrotechnic-filled performance, they turned their track Bang Bang into an anti-Trump song.
"No Trump! No KKK! No Fascist USA!" Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong shouted to the audience. President-elect Trump has previously declared himself a fan of the
punk rock group's work, having seen their musical American Idiot and
describing it as "excellent".
British musician Sting took home a
lifetime achievement award and his acceptance speech seemed to make
reference to current affairs. Rock music is "perhaps America's
greatest and most influential export", he said, before saying the genre
had been "always open to all colours in the spirit of welcome and
inclusion".
"A mixing of culture, of rhythm and passion is what made this country the greatest country in the world."
The AMA hosts - model Gigi Hadid and Saturday Night Live comedian Jay
Pharoah made multiple jokes and comments at Donald Trump's expense. Bruno Mars, who was born in Hawaii and has roots in Puerto Rico and the Philippines, performed at the ceremony in Los Angeles.
"I love Bruno Mars. I don't know what colour he is, so I can't deport him," Pharoah said, imitating Trump's distinctive voice. Artists such as Lady Gaga and John Legend, who had been prominent
supporters of the Hillary Clinton campaign, did not choose to speak
publicly about the election at the event.
Winners on the night included Ariana Grande, who was named artist of the year. She
performed Side to Side, her collaboration with Nicki Minaj, with the
pair appearing alongside topless male dancers on a jungle-themed stage.
