Trump Threatens to Sue Trevor Noah Over Epstein Island Joke at Grammys
LOS ANGELES — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened legal action against comedian Trevor Noah following a controversial joke made during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards that appeared to link him to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The remarks were made during Sunday night’s CBS broadcast, where Noah hosted the ceremony for the sixth and final time. While presenting an award won by Billie Eilish, Noah joked that a Grammy is an award every artist dreams of, “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland.”
He then delivered the line that ignited backlash: “Which makes sense because, since Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out on with Bill Clinton.”
Trump Fires Back on Truth Social
Trump reacted swiftly, taking to his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Monday morning. He described the Grammys as “virtually unwatchable” and branded the show “garbage.”
He also launched a personal attack on Noah, calling him a “poor, pathetic, talentless” host.
“Noah said, INCORRECTLY, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!” Trump wrote. “I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close. It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue… for plenty$.”
Trump has long acknowledged knowing Epstein in the past but insists the relationship ended years before Epstein’s criminal cases. Both Trump and former President Bill Clinton have repeatedly denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Politics Take Center Stage at the Grammys
The legal threat comes amid a highly politicised Grammy ceremony. Several artists used their acceptance speeches to criticise U.S. immigration policies and the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Noah appeared to anticipate controversy. Moments after delivering the joke, he stared into the camera and quipped: “I told you, it’s my last year! What are you going to do about it?”
Legal Hurdles Ahead
Legal experts say Trump could face significant challenges if he proceeds with a lawsuit. In the U.S., public figures must meet a high threshold to prove defamation, and satirical jokes made during award shows are typically protected under the First Amendment.
However, Trump cited his recent legal settlements with major media companies, including a reported $16 million settlement involving CBS parent company Paramount, as proof of his readiness to pursue legal action against what he calls “fake news.”
As of publication, representatives for Trevor Noah and the Recording Academy had not issued an official response.
