President Donald Trump is once again drawing a hard line against what he calls reckless celebrity defamation — this time targeting Grammy Awards host Trevor Noah after the comedian used the national broadcast to repeat a claim tying Trump to Jeffrey Epstein’s island, a charge the president flatly denies and says crosses a legal line.
The clash erupted during Sunday night’s Grammy ceremony when Noah, the South African-born former late-night host turned awards emcee, inserted a political jab into what was supposed to be a music celebration. While congratulating Billie Eilish, Noah quipped that the award was something artists want “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” before escalating into a reference to Epstein.
“Which makes sense,” Noah added, “because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
The remark drew laughs from parts of the celebrity audience — and immediate backlash online. Trump has consistently maintained he never visited Epstein’s private island, and no public evidence has emerged placing him there. The president has previously acknowledged knowing Epstein socially in Palm Beach decades ago, as did many high-profile figures across politics and entertainment, but has said he cut ties long before Epstein’s criminal downfall.
Supporters argue the left continues to weaponize Epstein associations selectively, despite a growing paper trail of connections involving prominent Democrats and elite institutions. The Trump administration has recently released additional Epstein-related documents, intensifying scrutiny on figures the legacy media spent years reluctant to examine.
Trump responded within hours on Truth Social, blasting both the awards show and Noah personally.
“The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable!” Trump wrote. “CBS is lucky not to have this garbage litter their airwaves any longer.”
He then turned directly to Noah: “The host, Trevor Noah, whoever he may be, is almost as bad as Jimmy Kimmel… Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!”
Trump emphasized that he has never been to the island and noted that even hostile media outlets had never previously accused him of doing so. He labeled the comment defamatory and warned that legal action is on the table if Noah fails to correct the record.
“I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close,” Trump wrote. “Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.”
The president closed with a pointed reminder of past lawsuits against media figures, signaling he is prepared to escalate.
“It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers… Ask Little George Slopadopolus, and others, how that all worked out. Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!”
The episode highlights a growing tension between entertainment platforms and political accountability. What once might have been dismissed as late-night humor now carries real legal and reputational stakes, particularly in an era when misinformation can travel globally in seconds.
For Trump and his supporters, the message is clear: celebrity punchlines don’t come with immunity — and accusations tied to one of the darkest scandals in modern history are no laughing matter.
