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| Trevor Noah and Donald Trump |
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has reignited his feud with Hollywood, threatening a massive lawsuit against comedian Trevor Noah following a controversial joke during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The President took to Truth Social early Monday to blast the ceremony as "virtually unwatchable" and "garbage," specifically targeting Noah’s monologue that linked him to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The legal threat stems from a quip Noah made while presenting the Song of the Year award to Billie Eilish. Referring to Trump’s long-standing interest in acquiring Greenland, Noah joked:
"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."
In a late-night digital broadside, Trump vehemently denied ever setting foot on Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little Saint James. "Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island," Trump wrote, adding that while he "can’t speak for Bill," he himself has never been "anywhere close" to the location.
Labeling the South African comedian a "total loser" and a "talentless dope," Trump warned that his legal team would be seeking "plenty of money" in damages. He even compared Noah to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, whom he frequently mocks for "low ratings."
The timing of the joke is particularly sensitive. Just days before the ceremony, the Justice Department released over three million pages of investigative files related to the Epstein case. While the documents contain thousands of references to various high-profile figures including both Trump and Clinton Trump has maintained that his past association with Epstein ended long before the financier's criminal convictions.
During the broadcast, Noah seemed unfazed by the potential fallout. Acknowledging the audience's audible gasps, he reminded the crowd that 2026 marks his sixth and final year as the host. "I told you it's my last year! What are you going to do about it?" he teased from the stage.
The conflict with Noah was just one flashpoint in an evening defined by heavy political messaging. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who made history as the first Spanish-language artist to win Album of the Year, used his platform to deliver a searing critique of federal immigration policies.
"Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out!" the rapper declared during his acceptance speech, referencing calls to abolish or reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Throughout the night, several other artists, including Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar, were seen wearing "ICE out" pins or making statements against the current administration's border crackdowns.
The 2026 Grammys also marked a significant turning point for the industry, as it was the final year the awards were broadcast by CBS. Following the merger of Paramount and Skydance Media, analysts have noted a shift in the network's editorial direction under new leadership. Trump appeared to cheer this transition on social media, suggesting CBS was "lucky" to be rid of the programming.