Trevor Noah on stage during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards (Los Angeles, Feb. 1, 2026). Hosting the Grammy Awards for the sixth and final time, Trevor Noah mostly played it safe during his opening monologue. However, after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year, Noah made a pointed jab at President Donald Trump. He joked, “Wow. That is a Grammy that every artist wants, almost as much as Trump wants Greenland. Which makes sense. I mean, because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.” The punchline, which referenced Trump’s well-known interest in buying Greenland and the infamous “Epstein Island,” got big laughs and some gasps from the audience. Noah even followed up with a grin and a cheeky reply, “Oh, I told you, it’s my last year. What are you going to do about it?”
Just hours after the show wrapped, President Trump went on his social media platform, Truth Social, with a strong response. He didn’t hold back. Trump called the ceremony “the WORST, virtually unwatchable!” and mocked Noah by comparing him to “Jimmy Kimmel at the Low Ratings Academy Awards.”
Trump then addressed Noah’s joke directly, labeling it “INCORRECT” and insisting that he had never been to “Epstein Island, nor anywhere close.” He referred to Noah as “a total loser” and urged him to “get his facts straight.” Trump ominously added that he would be “sending his lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless dope of an M.C.” His full post even mentioned a “Little George Slopadopolus,” referencing former adviser George Papadopoulos.
He concluded with, “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!” making it clear he was prepared for a legal battle and more media drama.
