Charlize Theron Slams Immigration, LGBTQ Rights Rollbacks and Foreign Aid Cuts at CTAOP Block Party

At her foundation’s annual event, Charlize Theron delivers fiery speech condemning regressive policies impacting global health, gender rights, and humanitarian aid.

At the fifth annual Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) Block Party held Saturday on the Universal lot, Oscar-winning actress and activist Charlize Theron delivered a powerful and impassioned speech targeting the current state of global affairs—especially immigration policy, LGBTQ and women’s rights, and devastating foreign aid cuts. “The world feels like it’s burning—because it is,” Theron declared, as she took direct aim at the rollback of humanitarian values and social justice progress both in the United States and abroad.

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Charlize Theron didn’t hold back during her speech at the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project’s annual Block Party on Saturday, using her platform to spotlight urgent global crises and social regressions.

“Here in Los Angeles, in the US, and across the globe, we are moving backwards fast,” she said. “Immigration policy is destroying the lives of families—not criminals. Women’s rights are becoming less and less every day, queer and trans lives are increasingly being erased, and gender-based violence is on the rise. This isn’t just policy—it’s personal. F— them.”

Theron then turned her attention to foreign aid cuts, especially the devastating impact they’ve had on HIV and AIDS programs in South Africa, her country of birth. “Foreign aid cuts brought HIV and AIDS programs in my home country to an absolute standstill,” she warned. “All of this is not just detrimental—it’s dangerous. People will lose their lives. Many already have at a frightening rate. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see this kind of unnecessary suffering.”

While Theron didn’t directly name former President Donald Trump, her remarks aligned with concerns over his administration’s aggressive push to reduce foreign assistance. Trump’s government repeatedly made deep cuts to global health initiatives, including PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Despite the heavy tone, Theron emphasized resilience and hope. “What we also see, what we cannot miss, is the resistance,” she said. “There is hope. There is power in all of us standing up, organizing, protesting, voting, and caring for each other—and refusing to accept that this is the new normal.”

That belief, she added, is what fuels her foundation. “That spirit of resistance, justice, and care for each other—that’s the spirit that drives the work at CTAOP. Although our focus is on the youth in southern Africa, what we’re really talking about here tonight is that all lives should be valued. Everyone should have the right to be healthy, to be safe, and to be seen.”

Founded by Theron 18 years ago, CTAOP has become a powerful force in youth empowerment and public health. The foundation has granted over $15 million and reached more than 4.5 million youth through partner organizations across southern Africa.

Earlier that evening, on the red carpet, Theron spoke with press about the urgency of the moment. “It’s quite devastating what’s going to happen,” she said. “It’s less than one percent of this budget that everyone is talking about—and when you compare that to the millions of people that are going to die because of this, it’s devastating.”

Theron also said she remains active in lobbying elected officials for action. “We do it quite a bit,” she shared. “There are a lot of people who do pick up the phone and are willing to listen and are on our side of understanding.”

The event, which took place under heightened emotional resonance, also included a live auction of luxury items and experiences. A musical performance by Reneé Rapp capped off the night, providing a moment of uplift after Theron’s stirring address.

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Charlize Theron’s searing speech at the 2025 CTAOP Block Party reminded the world that silence is complicity. With voices like hers demanding accountability and compassion, the fight for human dignity, global health, and equality gains a powerful ally. As she made clear on Saturday night, this isn’t just activism—it’s personal, urgent, and non-negotiable.