Donald Trump has criticized the host of this year’s Grammy Awards for alleging that the US president had visited Epstein Island. Trump threatened legal action against Trevor Noah for what he called a false and defamatory statement made during the Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
Noah made multiple jokes targeting Trump throughout the event, including a reference to Trump’s desire for Greenland and the absence of Epstein’s island, suggesting the need for a new hangout spot with Bill Clinton.
Following the ceremony, Trump took to Truth Social to refute Noah’s claims, asserting that he had never been to Epstein Island and had never been accused of visiting there before. Trump vowed to sue Noah, calling him names and teasing him about the legal action.
Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of trafficking young girls on his private Caribbean island, Little Saint James, owned the island until his death in 2019. Locals referred to it as “paedophile island.”
Trump denied ever visiting the island, mentioning that he declined Epstein’s invitation in the past. In his criticism of Noah, Trump also targeted other TV hosts who have criticized him and the MAGA movement, such as Jimmy Kimmel and a nickname he coined for George Stephanopoulos.
Late-night television has a history of satirizing presidents, with comedians facing backlash from Trump for their political commentary. CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, with Colbert accusing Paramount of a bribe related to a settlement with Trump.
While Colbert criticized the decision, CBS attributed it to financial reasons and declining advertising revenues. Similarly, ABC temporarily pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air over comments made by Kimmel, and settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump over a claim made by George Stephanopoulos.
During the Grammys, Noah reacted humorously to the potential legal action from Trump. Despite gasps from the audience over his Epstein Island joke, Noah remained light-hearted about the situation.
It was confirmed recently that Noah would be hosting the Grammys for the last time this year.