President Trump may have been among the few Americans who bothered to sit through the Grammy Awards, and judging by his late-night response, it left him thoroughly unimpressed. In a blunt post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed the broadcast as “virtually unwatchable,” adding that CBS was “lucky not to have this garbage litter their airwaves any longer.” If there was any ambiguity in his critique, it was only in the use of the word “virtually,” because the president clearly viewed the show as another self-indulgent exercise by an entertainment industry increasingly disconnected from its audience.
Trump’s irritation, however, went well beyond production value. He zeroed in on host Trevor Noah, the former “Daily Show” anchor, over a joke that referenced Jeffrey Epstein. Trump characterized the remark as false and defamatory, and he did not mince words about what might come next. In language that echoed previous high-profile legal fights, Trump suggested Noah could soon find himself on the receiving end of a lawsuit similar to those Trump has already pursued, and won, against major media figures and networks.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 01:01 AM EST 02.02.26 pic.twitter.com/zP4exZ6eH6
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 2, 2026
In his post, Trump flatly denied ever visiting Epstein’s island or being accused of doing so prior to Noah’s joke. He accused the host of recklessness and warned that the matter would not be brushed aside. Trump even invoked George Stephanopoulos by name, a reminder of the costly defamation settlement ABC News reached after a false accusation aired on “This Week.” That case, along with a multimillion-dollar settlement involving CBS and an ongoing lawsuit against the BBC, has reinforced Trump’s reputation for aggressively pursuing defamation claims rather than treating them as empty threats.
The joke that triggered Trump’s response came after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year, when Noah quipped that Trump was looking for a new island now that Epstein was gone, lumping him together with former President Bill Clinton. For Trump, that comparison crossed a line, particularly given the legal and reputational stakes surrounding Epstein-related allegations.
Beyond the legal implications, the moment also highlighted a broader critique of Noah’s approach. Critics argue that his Grammys performance leaned heavily on shock value and borrowed routines, echoing styles popularized by comedians like Ricky Gervais without the same precision or impact. Trump’s response suggested he saw the joke not as satire, but as a lazy attempt at provocation.
“GREENLAND IS GONE HE NEEDS A NEW ONE TO HANG OUT WITH BILL CLINTON..WHAT YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?”
– Never funny DEI hire Trevor Noah
say about President Trump & Epstein Island. pic.twitter.com/NiThEACchk— Johnny St.Pete (@JohnMcCloy) February 2, 2026
Noah has already faced backlash in recent months over controversial stand-up material, including remarks that conservatives found deeply offensive. Against that backdrop, the Grammys monologue appeared to reinforce perceptions that Noah relies on polarizing commentary rather than original humor.
Whether Trump ultimately follows through with legal action remains to be seen, but his record suggests the threat is more than rhetorical.
