Donald Trump slammed the Grammys and threatened to sue Trevor Noah after a viral Epstein joke during the awards show.
WASHINGTON: Former US President Donald Trump has reacted angrily to a viral moment from the 2026 Grammy Awards, threatening legal action against host Trevor Noah over a monologue joke referencing Jeffrey Epstein.
The joke, delivered during the ceremony’s opening remarks, made a jab at Trump’s alleged ties to Epstein. Noah quipped: “Since Epstein’s gone, Trump needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton,” in a line that drew both laughs and sharp backlash online.
Trump, posting on Truth Social, called the joke “defamatory and false,” declaring the awards show “virtually unwatchable.” He described Noah as “a total loser” and accused CBS, the event’s broadcaster, of allowing “baseless slander” to be aired during a primetime programme.
The Grammy joke sparked widespread online commentary, fusing entertainment with political controversy. It comes just weeks after US authorities released thousands of pages of documents related to Epstein’s network and associates, intensifying public scrutiny of past high-profile connections.
In his post, Trump firmly denied ever visiting Epstein’s island and warned, “I will be sending my lawyers.” He accused the network and the comedian of defamation, although legal experts suggest such cases are rarely successful when public figures are involved and satire is clear.
The clash has once again highlighted Trump’s confrontational approach to media coverage, particularly from comedy and entertainment outlets. The incident follows a pattern of high-profile grievances the former president has held with entertainers, news networks and late-night hosts.
While the Grammys moved on with the rest of the night’s programme, the political storm ignited by Noah’s one-liner has since dominated post-show headlines, fuelling ongoing debate at the intersection of pop culture and political discourse.
