President Donald Trump warned on Monday that he is considering a defamation lawsuit against 2026 Grammy Awards host Trevor Noah. The threat follows a joke Noah made during Sunday night's broadcast linking the President to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island. Trump used Truth Social to blast the awards show as "virtually unwatchable" and "garbage."
"Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!" the President wrote. He emphasized that while he "can't speak for Bill," he has never visited Little Saint James. Trump claimed that prior to Noah's statement, not even the "Fake News Media" had accused him of being there.
The joke occurred after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for "Wildflower." Noah quipped that artists want a Grammy as much as Trump wants Greenland. He added, "Since Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton."
The President's legal threat comes just days after the Justice Department released a final cache of 3.5 million Epstein-related documents. While the files contain uncorroborated tips from the public, the DOJ noted that many claims against Trump were "unfounded and false." Officials stated that these allegations often originated just before the 2020 election and lack any shred of credibility.
Trump reminded Noah of his recent legal victories against major media outlets. In late 2024, ABC News agreed to a $15 million settlement after George Stephanopoulos incorrectly stated Trump was found "liable for rape." CBS also settled a lawsuit for $16 million in 2025 over the editing of a Kamala Harris interview.
"It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C.," Trump continued. He warned Noah to "get his facts straight" and "get them straight fast." The President concluded his post by telling the comedian to "get ready" because he plans to "have some fun."
Despite the President's anger, Noah appeared undeterred during the broadcast. He noted that this was his sixth and final year hosting the Grammys. "I told you it's my last year! What are you going to do about it?" Noah joked after the audience reacted to the Epstein comment.