A glittering night meant to celebrate music has instead ignited a political firestorm. U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on the Grammy Awards and its host, Trevor Noah, describing the ceremony as “virtually unwatchable” and warning that legal action may follow over what he calls a false and defamatory on-air remark.
The sharp criticism was delivered via Trump’s Truth Social account, where he dismissed the Grammys as one of the “worst” award shows and accused broadcaster CBS of previously airing what he branded “garbage.” According to Trump, the network was “lucky” to have moved on from the event.
Trump’s anger appeared to centre on comments made by Noah during the awards ceremony, where the comedian referenced Trump alongside former President Bill Clinton in connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The president forcefully rejected the implication, insisting he has never been linked to Epstein’s private island.
“I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close,” Trump wrote, stressing that he had never previously faced such an allegation from the media. He described Noah’s remark as inaccurate and defamatory, arguing that it crossed the line from comedy into misinformation.
Beyond the specific claim, Trump also criticised Noah’s performance as host, unfavourably comparing him to late-night television personality Jimmy Kimmel. He labelled Noah a “pathetic” and “talentless” master of ceremonies and said he was considering instructing his lawyers to pursue a lawsuit for damages.
In his post, Trump pointed to past legal disputes involving media figures, asserting that they had “worked out well” for him, a remark that underscored the seriousness of his legal threat.
Neither the Grammy Awards nor Trevor Noah had publicly responded to Trump’s comments at the time of reporting. However, the episode has added another chapter to the long-running tension between the president and the entertainment industry, once again blurring the line between pop culture, politics and the courtroom.