Provocative fashion, unexpected award announcements, public protests against ICE, and a brutal Epstein-related joke that enraged Donald Trump — the 2026 Grammy Awards delivered a night packed with controversy and spectacle.
Chaos, comedy, and controversy at the Grammys
From Chappell Roan grabbing attention with a daring outfit that quickly dominated online discussions, to Cher creating one of the night’s most bizarre moments by announcing an award recipient who passed away more than two decades ago, the ceremony proved to be far from ordinary. But the most talked-about moment came when host Trevor Noah, 41, referenced newly released Epstein-related documents during his opening remarks.
As the awards show unfolded alongside the publication of newly declassified Epstein files, Noah used the timing to deliver a sharp punchline that immediately sparked backlash.
Referencing the massive release of Epstein documents on Friday, Noah cracked:
“Song of the Year — that is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton”.
Although being mentioned in the newly released documents does not suggest criminal activity, President Trump’s name reportedly appears more than 1,000 times throughout the material. Trump previously had a well-documented association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. However, Trump and several other public figures have repeatedly rejected allegations that they ever visited Epstein’s private island, which was later revealed as a site where underage girls were exploited.
Trump has continuously denied any involvement in wrongdoing connected to Epstein and has never faced criminal accusations from Epstein’s alleged victims.
Officials respond to the allegations
Responding to the release of the new documents, both the White House and the US Justice Department pointed to statements included within the file release.
“Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the US Justice Department said.
Trump also addressed the issue while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, suggesting that the material actually supported his innocence while accusing author Michael Wolff of working against him.
“It looked like this guy, Wolff, was a writer, was conspiring with Epstein to do harm to me. I didn’t see it myself, but I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left, that Wolff, who’s a third-rate writer, was conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to hurt me, politically or otherwise, and that came through loud and clear.”
Trump also signaled that he may pursue legal action against both Wolff and the Epstein estate.
“Because he was conspiring with Wolff to do harm to me politically. That’s not a friend.”
Trump fires back after Grammys joke
The controversy escalated further after Trump appeared to react to Noah’s remarks during the Grammys broadcast. Posting on Truth Social, Trump strongly criticized the event itself before targeting the comedian directly.
“The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable! CBS is lucky not to have this garbage litter their airwaves any longer,” the president wrote on Truth Social, referencing last year’s broadcast on CBS.
Trump then specifically addressed Noah’s comments, labeling them defamatory and warning that legal consequences could follow. The 79-year-old wrote:
“Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!! 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, not even by the Fake News Media. Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast. It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C., and suing him for plenty$. Ask Little George Slopadopolus, and others, how that all worked out. Also ask CBS! Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you! President DJT.”
