President Donald Trump has warned of legal action against comedian Trevor Noah following remarks made during the Grammy Awards broadcast that Trump says were false and defamatory.
In a post on Truth Social early Monday, Trump criticized the Grammy Awards ceremony and accused Noah, who hosted the event, of spreading an untrue claim suggesting the president had visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
Trump firmly denied the allegation, stating that he has never been to Epstein’s island or anywhere near it. He said the joke crossed the line from comedy into defamation and announced that his legal team would be taking action.
“The Grammy Awards were virtually unwatchable,” Trump wrote. “Trevor Noah said, incorrectly, that I spent time on Epstein Island. That is completely false. I have never been there.”
The president went on to say he would be contacting his lawyers and warned that Noah should “get his facts straight,” adding that a lawsuit was being considered.
What Sparked the Controversy
The dispute stems from a joke Noah delivered near the end of the ceremony after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year. While referencing Trump’s past comments about acquiring Greenland, Noah made a remark implying Trump wanted “a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton,” suggesting a connection to Epstein’s island.
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His case has remained a source of political and public controversy ever since.
Trump Denies Any Island Connection
Trump has long acknowledged knowing Epstein socially decades ago but has repeatedly stated that he cut off contact well before Epstein’s criminal behavior became public.
No evidence has shown Trump ever traveled to Epstein’s island. Trump pointed out that even major media outlets have not accused him of visiting the island prior to Noah’s remarks.
While documents related to Epstein have mentioned Trump, the Justice Department has not accused him of any criminal conduct connected to the case.
By contrast, former President Bill Clinton has appeared in flight logs connected to Epstein, though Clinton has denied any wrongdoing.
White House Responds
The White House quickly responded to the remarks. Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized Noah on social media, calling the joke irresponsible and accusing the comedian of spreading false information for political effect.
Noah also used his time on stage to mock rapper Nicki Minaj for her recent public support of Trump. Minaj, who has faced backlash from fans, has said that criticism has only strengthened her political views.
Legal Action Possible
At this time, no lawsuit has been officially filed, but Trump’s statements suggest the matter is being taken seriously. The incident has reignited debate over where the line should be drawn between political humor and factual claims made on major televised events.