US President Donald Trump has threatened to take legal action against comedian Trevor Noah following remarks made during the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony that linked the president to late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The controversy erupted on Monday night after Noah, who was hosting the Grammys, congratulated singer Billie Eilish on winning the Song of the Year award for her hit track “Wildflower.” While transitioning between segments, the comedian made a series of jokes that referenced Trump’s past comments about acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
“Noah joked that the award was one coveted by artists ‘almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,’” drawing laughter from the audience. He then followed up with a more pointed remark, suggesting that Trump was looking for “a new island” to spend time on following Epstein’s death, adding a reference to former US President Bill Clinton.
The comment quickly sparked backlash from Trump, who responded angrily on his Truth Social platform. The president first criticized the Grammy Awards themselves, describing the event as “the WORST and virtually unwatchable,” before directing his attention at Noah personally.
In a lengthy post, Trump denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island or being associated with it in any way, insisting that he had never previously been accused of such actions. He described Noah’s comment as “false and defamatory” and accused the comedian of spreading misinformation.
“I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close,” Trump wrote, adding that the allegation had not even been made by what he often refers to as the “Fake News Media.” He went on to insult Noah, calling him a “total loser” and urging him to “get his facts straight.”
The president escalated the dispute by threatening legal action, saying he would instruct his lawyers to sue the Grammy host. “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you,” Trump declared in another post.
Trevor Noah, a South African-born comedian and former host of The Daily Show, has generally avoided heavy political commentary during his previous stints as Grammy host. This year’s ceremony marked what he announced would be his final time emceeing the awards, after hosting the event six times.
Trump’s reaction comes amid renewed public scrutiny over Epstein’s connections with powerful figures. Although Trump has acknowledged moving in similar elite social circles as Epstein in Florida and New York in the past, he has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has offered differing explanations over the years about how and why their relationship ended.
The issue gained further attention following the recent release of more than three million documents connected to Epstein. The files, made public on Friday, contain references to numerous prominent individuals, including Trump, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, former President Bill Clinton, and Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
While the documents do not automatically imply wrongdoing, their release has intensified debate and speculation surrounding Epstein’s extensive network and the figures associated with him, keeping the issue firmly in the public spotlight.
