'Epstein Island Is Gone, Trump Needs New One': How Trevor Noah's Grammy Joke Triggered US President's Legal Threat | WATCH

For the sixth, and final consecutive year, South African comedian Trevor Noah returned as host of the Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1 (US time). The 68th edition of music’s biggest night saw Noah once again blend pop culture with sharp political satire, setting the stage for a moment that would soon dominate headlines. 

Noah’s remarks came just days after the US Justice Department released a fresh trove of documents linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. With public debate around the so-called Epstein Files intensifying, the comedian used the moment to weave current political controversies into his monologue.

Trevor Noah takes another jab at Donald Trump #Grammys: “Song of the Year — that is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton” pic.twitter.com/quUWEpX4NL

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) February 2, 2026

Joke That Triggered Backlash

The controversy erupted shortly after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year. As applause filled the arena, Noah quipped, “That’s a Grammy that every artist wants, almost as much as Trump wants Greenland. Which makes sense because, since Epstein’s gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.” The line drew laughter and audible gasps inside the venue and quickly went viral on social media.

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Trump Slams Grammys And Trevor Noah

Donald Trump responded on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling the Grammy Awards “the WORST, virtually unwatchable.” He said CBS was fortunate to no longer have such “garbage” on its airwaves and compared Noah unfavourably to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. 

Taking direct aim at the joke, Trump said Noah had made an “INCORRECT” claim by suggesting he had visited Epstein Island. “I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close,” Trump wrote, stressing that he had never been accused of being there, even by what he called the “Fake News Media.”

Threat Of Legal Action Against Comedian

Trump went on to brand Noah a “total loser” and “talentless,” warning that he was prepared to unleash his lawyers against the comedian. He reiterated that Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, was never visited by him.

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