President Donald Trump is threatening legal action against comedian Trevor Noah after what he called a “false and defamatory” joke aimed at the president during Sunday night’s Grammy Awards, escalating yet another high-profile clash between Trump and a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
In a Truth Social post published at 1:01 a.m. Monday, Trump unloaded on Noah following the comedian’s monologue while hosting the awards show. The president said he plans to sue Noah, comparing the potential legal fight to previous lawsuits involving major media networks.
Trump’s anger centered on a joke Noah delivered shortly after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year. Noah congratulated Eilish before pivoting to a jab at Trump, referencing Greenland and then suggesting Trump needed “a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton” now that Jeffrey Epstein is dead. Noah punctuated the line by joking that it was his last year hosting and asking what anyone could do about it.
Hours later, Trump fired back, calling the Grammys the “WORST, virtually unwatchable” awards show and mocking Noah as “almost as bad as Jimmy Kimmel,” whom Trump referenced in connection with what he called the “Low Ratings Academy Awards.” Trump then directly addressed the Epstein remark, flatly denying it.
“Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!” Trump wrote. He said he has never been to Epstein’s island or anywhere near it, adding that until Noah’s comment, he had never even been accused of such a thing — “not even by the Fake News Media.”
Trump said he could not speak for former President Bill Clinton, but made clear that he views Noah’s joke as a serious allegation rather than comedy. He labeled Noah a “total loser” and warned him to “get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.”
The president said he intends to unleash his lawyers on Noah, describing the comedian as a “poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C.” and vowing to sue him “for plenty$.” Trump also referenced previous legal fights, urging Noah to ask others how those situations “worked out,” including figures Trump referred to as “Little George Slopadopolus” and CBS. Trump closed his post by telling Noah to “get ready,” adding, “I’m going to have some fun with you!”
The Epstein joke was not the only political moment during the ceremony. Several artists used the Grammy stage to take shots at Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. Justin Bieber and Kehlani were among those who wore white-and-black “ICE OUT” pins during the show. Kehlani also shouted “F*ck ICE” while accepting an award earlier in the night.
Bad Bunny, who is scheduled to perform at the Super Bowl next week, received a standing ovation after delivering an anti-ICE acceptance speech. Billie Eilish also criticized Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants during the ceremony.
The combination of political messaging, anti-ICE rhetoric, and Noah’s joke targeting Trump turned what is traditionally a music-focused night into yet another flashpoint in the ongoing culture war between Hollywood and the president — one Trump now says may end up being settled in court.
