Donald Trump is threatening to sue Trevor Noah over a joke made at the 2026 Grammy Awards. The joke, which referenced the former president's alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sparked a furious reaction from Trump, who took to his Truth Social platform to denounce the awards ceremony and its host.
The controversy unfolded after Billie Eilish received the Grammy for Best Song of the Year. Noah, who was hosting the Grammys for the sixth and final time, remarked, "That is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein's island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton".
Trump, seemingly watching the ceremony, did not take kindly to the joke. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, he slammed the Grammys as "the WORST, virtually unwatchable!". He then turned his attention to Noah, calling him "a total loser" and comparing him unfavorably to Jimmy Kimmel. Trump specifically took issue with Noah's joke, stating, "Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!".
Trump insisted he has never been to Epstein's island, "nor anywhere close," and claimed that "until tonight's false and defamatory statement," he had never been accused of being there, "not even by the Fake News Media". He went on to accuse Noah of making a "false and defamatory" statement and threatened legal action. "It looks like I'll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C., and suing him for plenty$," Trump wrote. He also referenced a past legal victory, saying, "Ask Little George Slopadopolus, and others, how that all worked out. Also ask CBS! Get ready Noah, I'm going to have some fun with you!".
Noah has not yet responded to Trump's threat.
Trump's outburst has reignited discussions about his past association with Epstein, particularly in light of the recent release of documents related to the case. While Trump's name appears in the released files, the details and allegations surrounding his involvement remain a subject of speculation and debate.
The 2026 Grammys were marked by political statements beyond Noah's joke. Several artists used their acceptance speeches and red-carpet appearances to protest Trump's immigration policies. Bad Bunny, after winning the award for Best Música Urbana Album, said "ICE out!". Billie Eilish also condemned ICE during her Song of the Year acceptance speech, stating, "No one is illegal on stolen land". Other artists, including Kehlani and Justin Bieber, wore "ICE OUT" pins.