Fez — President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to sue the host of the 2026 Grammy Awards following a joke made during the live broadcast, escalating his long running conflict with entertainment figures and awards shows.
In a post published on his Truth Social platform after the ceremony, Trump denounced the Grammys in sweeping terms before singling out the host for criticism. “The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable! CBS is lucky not to have this garbage litter their airwaves any longer,” Trump wrote, referring to the ceremony’s final year airing on the network.
He then turned directly to the host, adding: “The host, Trevor Noah, whoever he may be, is almost as bad as Jimmy Kimmel at the Low Ratings Academy Awards.”
Trump rejects Epstein reference
Trump’s anger centered on a joke delivered moments after the song of the year award was announced. During the broadcast, the host said: “There you have it, song of the year! Congratulations, Billie Eilish. Wow. That’s 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. I told you, it’s my last year! What are you going to do about it?”
Responding to that line, Trump claimed the statement was factually wrong and defamatory. “Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. 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, not even by the Fake News Media.”
Threat of legal action
Trump went on to threaten legal consequences in unusually crass language, especially for a US president. “Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast,” he wrote. “It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C., and suing him for plenty. Ask Little George Slopadopolus, and others, how that all worked out. Also ask CBS! Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you! President DJT.”
The Hollywood Reporter noted that no lawsuit has been filed, but the president’s post framed the comments as a serious legal threat rather than a rhetorical jab.
