US President Donald Trump has fired back at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, threatening legal action against host Trevor Noah over a joke linking him to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
In a string of late-night posts on Truth Social, Trump slammed the music industry’s premier event as “the WORST” and “virtually unwatchable,” before targeting Noah’s comedic dig.
“Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island,” Trump wrote. “WRONG!!! I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there.”
He didn’t stop there, calling the comedian a “poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C.” and warning of legal consequences, “It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue… and suing him for plenty. Get ready, Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!”
The controversy erupted during the ceremony, moments after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year. Hosting the Grammys for the sixth and final time, Noah joked:
“That is a Grammy that every artist wants, almost as much as Trump wants Greenland. Which makes sense because, since Epstein’s gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
After the laughter and gasps, Noah quipped, “I told you, it’s my last year! What are you going to do about it?”
The host also mocked rapper Nicki Minaj, who missed the ceremony.
Minaj recently visited the White House and declared herself Trump’s number one fan.
Noah mockingly quipped that she was still at the White House with Donald Trump, discussing very important issues.
Minaj later called Noah’s jokes “bullying” and labelled the Grammys audience “soulless.”
Amid the political jabs, several artists used their speeches to protest federal immigration policies.
Bad Bunny, who took home Album of the Year, opened his speech with the chant “ICE out,” referencing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Eilish and Kehlani displayed “ICE OUT” pins on the red carpet, showing solidarity with ongoing national protests.