Trump to sue Trevor Noah after controversial Epstein joke at Grammys
The 2026 Grammy Awards were defined by spectacle, satire, and controversy. From daring red-carpet fashion to unexpected award announcements, the evening was far from routine, culminating in a political joke that captured national attention.
Host Trevor Noah delivered the night’s most discussed moment during the Song of the Year presentation. Weaving in the topical release of new Jeffrey Epstein documents, he quipped that artists desire the award “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.”
The joke prompted immediate backlash online. While appearing in the documents does not imply wrongdoing, Donald Trump’s name is reportedly cited over 1,000 times in the newly unsealed files. Trump has long acknowledged knowing Epstein but denies ever visiting his private island or involvement in illegal activity.
Official responses followed swiftly. The White House and Department of Justice noted that some claims within the documents remain unverified, with the Justice Department calling certain allegations against Trump “untrue and sensationalist.”
Trump addressed the issue aboard Air Force One, claiming the documents exonerate him and alleging a conspiracy with author Michael Wolff. He later criticized the Grammys on Truth Social, calling the ceremony “virtually unwatchable” and Noah’s joke “false and defamatory.”
He warned of potential legal action against the host, intensifying an already heated online debate between his supporters and critics.
Held at the Crypto.com Arena, the 2026 Grammys underscored how modern award shows blend entertainment with pointed political commentary. The evening proved that the intersection of pop culture and politics remains a volatile and unavoidable space, ensuring the event would be remembered for its controversy as much as its music.
