US President Donald Trump has launched a sharp critique of the 2025 Grammy Awards, labeling the ceremony “virtually unwatchable” and targeting its host, comedian Trevor Noah, over a joke referencing Jeffrey Epstein.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump ranked the Grammys among the “worst” award shows and suggested broadcaster CBS was “lucky” to no longer air what he termed “garbage.” He specifically criticized Noah’s performance, unfavourably comparing him to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
The criticism follows a moment during the live broadcast where Noah, in a joke about celebrity gatherings, made a passing reference linking Trump and former President Bill Clinton to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private island. Trump forcefully denied any connection to Epstein or the island, writing, “I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close.” He asserted that the media had never previously accused him of such a visit and characterised Noah’s comment as both incorrect and defamatory.
Trump announced he was considering legal action against Noah, whom he called a “pathetic” and “talentless” master of ceremonies. He suggested his legal team could pursue a lawsuit for damages, noting that previous legal disputes he initiated against media figures had “worked out well” for him.
The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy, have faced declining television viewership in recent years, making Trump’s comments part of a broader public conversation about the ceremony’s relevance. Noah, a South African comedian and former host of “The Daily Show,” was hired for his second stint as Grammy host this year.
Trump’s response underscores his frequent confrontations with media figures and entertainment platforms, often through his social media channel. His immediate and public threat of litigation over a televised joke highlights the legal risks comedians and hosts face when referencing public figures, especially regarding highly charged subjects like the Epstein case. The incident may prompt a review of broadcast standards and the legal boundaries of satire involving living public figures.
