US President Donald Trump has threatened legal action against Grammy Awards host Trevor Noah following a joke linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the 68th annual ceremony.
The controversy unfolded on Monday night after Noah congratulated singer Billie Eilish on winning Song of the Year for her track Wildflower. While addressing the audience, the comedian made a quip about Trump’s past remarks on acquiring Greenland.
“That’s a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” Noah joked, before adding, “Which makes sense because, since Epstein’s gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
The comment prompted a swift response from Trump, who took to his Truth Social platform to criticise both the awards show and its host.
“The Grammy Awards are the WORST and virtually unwatchable,” Trump wrote, before accusing Noah of making “false and defamatory” statements.
“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,” he said.
The president also lashed out at Noah personally, calling the South African-born comedian a “total loser” and threatening to pursue legal action.
“I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless dope of an M.C. … Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you,” Trump added.
Noah, who recently announced that this year would be his final time hosting the Grammys after six stints as master of ceremonies, has typically kept political commentary to a minimum during the event.
Trump previously moved in the same social circles as Epstein in Florida and New York and has faced scrutiny over his association with the disgraced financier. The president has resisted the release of documents linked to Epstein for months.
On Friday, authorities released more than three million documents related to the case, which include references to several high-profile figures, among them Trump, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton and Britain’s Prince Andrew.
It remains unclear whether any legal action will formally be filed.