U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened legal action against comedian Trevor Noah following comments made during Noah’s opening monologue at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday.
Noah, who hosted the Grammys for the sixth and final time, made the remark after singer Billie Eilish won the award for Song of the Year. In a joking aside, he congratulated Eilish and added that the Grammy was “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” before drawing a controversial comparison involving the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The comment immediately sparked backlash from the U.S. president, who took to his Truth Social platform to deny any association with Epstein and to condemn Noah’s remarks as false and defamatory.
“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,” Trump wrote.
He further threatened legal action, describing Noah in harsh terms and warning that his lawyers would be pursuing a lawsuit seeking damages. “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you,” the president added.
Trump also compared Noah unfavourably to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, recalling his own criticism of Kimmel after the comedian mocked him during the Academy Awards in 2024. He described both hosts as poor performers at major award ceremonies.
On the Epstein controversy, Trump reiterated that he and Epstein fell out in 2007, noting that Epstein was barred from his Mar-a-Lago resort that same year. In a 2025 statement, Trump said the ban followed allegations that Epstein had been stealing from people who worked for him.
Beyond Trump, Noah’s Grammy monologue also included jokes aimed at other high-profile figures, including American rapper Nicki Minaj, who has publicly expressed support for the president.
The White House has yet to issue a formal legal filing, but Trump’s comments suggest the dispute may escalate beyond social media and into the courts.