Trevor Noah at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. (Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images)
Trevor Noah, the South African comedian known for hosting the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, is facing widespread backlash and even legal threats following a series of politically charged jokes during the ceremony’s opening monologue on February 1, 2026. While some viewers applauded the humor, others including former U.S. President Donald Trump decried the remarks as inappropriate and defamatory.
Noah’s opening remarks at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles blended light entertainment with sharp political satire. Among the most talked-about segments:
- A quip implying Nicki Minaj was “still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues,” a reference to Minaj’s recent appearances with Trump and her vocal support of certain political positions.
- A joke referencing Trump’s interest in Greenland and Jeffrey Epstein’s island saying Trump needed a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton now that Epstein’s was gone. This line drew particular ire and set off one of the most high-profile reactions.
Some of Noah’s material drew laughter from the live audience and applause on social media notably his playful digs at Minaj’s political alignment and humorous impersonations of public figures. Many entertainment fans praised Noah for balancing celebrity roasts with levity in a star-studded broadcast.
In the aftermath of the awards show, Donald Trump took to Truth Social, denouncing Noah’s remarks and calling the ceremony “virtually unwatchable.” Trump specifically refuted Noah’s joke about his alleged connection to Epstein’s island, saying he has “never been accused” of visiting and that the comedian should “get his facts straight.” He also threatened to pursue legal action against Noah, declaring he would “have some fun” with his lawyers.
Legal experts note that comedy monologues are typically protected under the First Amendment, especially when they involve satire or commentary about public figures. Winning a defamation case would require proving “actual malice” a high bar when jokes are framed as satirical commentary rather than factual claims.
The controversy quickly drew reactions from other entertainers and comedians. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel referenced the situation on his show, joking about being mentioned in Trump’s criticisms of Noah, while industry insiders weighed in on whether award shows should mix political commentary with entertainment.
Meanwhile, Minaj herself chimed in online, condemning the jokes and escalating the social media firestorm, with supporters and critics alike sharing viral clips and commentary. The backlash included accusations of insensitivity, political partisanship and debates about satire’s place in high-profile entertainment events.
