Trump Criticizes Grammys And Threatens To Sue Host After Trevor Noah Epstein Joke
President Donald Trump sharply criticized the 68th Grammy Awards on Monday, February 1st, 2026. He suggested he may take legal action against comedian Trevor Noah after the show’s host made a joke linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein during the ceremony.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump described the Grammys as “virtually unwatchable” and accused Noah of spreading false claims. Trump objected to a joke in which Noah referenced Epstein’s former private island while mentioning Trump and former President Bill Clinton.
Trump said the remark was incorrect and insisted he had never visited Epstein’s island. While acknowledging he could not speak for Clinton, Trump stressed that he had no personal involvement with Epstein’s private property and said he had previously declined an invitation to visit.
The president also attacked Noah personally, calling him a “total loser,” and said he was considering sending his lawyers to pursue a lawsuit. Trump did not specify what legal claims he would bring or when such action might occur.
The Comment That Sparked the Dispute
The joke came during Noah’s presentation of the Song of the Year award. Comparing the prestige of the honor, Noah quipped that artists want it “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” before adding that Epstein’s island was gone and implying Trump needed a replacement location.
The line drew laughter inside the venue but quickly became a flashpoint online, particularly given renewed attention on Epstein following recent federal document releases.
CNN reported it had contacted Noah for comment, though no response had been issued as of Monday.
Epstein Files Back in Focus
The controversy comes days after the Justice Department released millions of pages of files connected to Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in federal custody in 2019.
The documents include names of prominent figures from politics, business, and entertainment, though they do not allege criminal conduct by Trump or Clinton.
Both men have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. Trump has previously said he refused an invitation to Epstein’s island, calling the decision a wise one in hindsight. Clinton has also denied ever visiting the island.
Trump and Award Shows: A Familiar Pattern
Trump has a long history of publicly clashing with entertainment awards shows and their hosts, particularly when political jokes or criticism are directed at him. In his latest post, he compared Noah unfavorably to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, another frequent target of Trump’s criticism.
Kimmel famously responded to Trump onstage in 2024 after the president attacked him on social media, highlighting the ongoing tension between Trump and Hollywood figures.
Politics on Display at the Grammys
The Grammy Awards, broadcast Sunday night on CBS from Los Angeles, featured several moments of political messaging beyond Noah’s monologue. A number of artists used their acceptance speeches to criticize the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, who won three awards, opened one speech by calling for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. During another address, delivered largely in Spanish, he dedicated his Album of the Year win to immigrants who left their home countries in pursuit of opportunity.
Several performers and attendees also wore “ICE out” pins, a slogan commonly used at protests opposing federal immigration enforcement.
