Trump slams Trevor Noah after the 68th Grammys
Donald Trump has reacted strongly to a remark made by South African comedian Trevor Noah during the 2026 Grammy Awards, accusing the host of defamation and stating that legal action is possible.
The former president expressed his dissatisfaction on the Truth Social platform on Monday, calling Noah “poor, pathetic” and “talentless,” while declaring the Grammys to be “virtually unwatchable.”
Trump’s anger was triggered by a joke made by Noah during the live event that appeared to connect Trump and former president Bill Clinton with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In response, Trump stated: “Wrong, I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close,” emphasizing that he had not been accused of visiting the island before.
This exchange occurred following Billie Eilish’s acceptance speech for her award.
Noah congratulated the singer with a humorous comment: “Congratulations, Billie Eilish. Wow, that is a Grammy that every artist wants, almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense. I mean, Epstein’s island is gone, and he needs a new one to hang around Bill Clinton.”
The audience’s reaction included both laughter and shocked gasps, and the comment quickly gained traction on online platforms, eliciting strong responses, especially from Trump supporters.
In the same post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the award show, asserting that CBS was “lucky” to no longer be associated with it.
He further contrasted Noah unfavorably with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, attributing declining TV ratings to Kimmel.
As of this writing, responses from Noah or the Recording Academy regarding Trump’s claims have not been made public.
Noah, known for his time on The Daily Show, has established a reputation for intertwining political commentary into his routines and has often targeted Trump over the years.
Legal professionals in the United States have noted that pursuing defamation suits against public figures is notoriously complex, particularly when the statements are delivered in a comedic or satirical context.
Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, remains a contentious figure in American discourse.
While various high-profile individuals have been socially associated with him, such connections do not indicate illegal activities.
Trump has acknowledged his acquaintance with Epstein from the 1990s but has consistently denied involvement in any of Epstein’s crimes or visiting his private island.
