Trevor Noah’s final turn as Grammy Awards host drew renewed attention Sunday night after jokes aimed at President Donald Trump and rapper Nicki Minaj prompted sharp reactions from both, extending a pattern of political flashpoints surrounding the annual music ceremony.
Opening the 68th Grammy Awards at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, Noah once again delivered a crowd-roaming monologue that largely avoided heavy politics while reserving pointed humor for high-profile absentees.
Noting Minaj’s absence, he suggested she was “still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues,” referencing her recent public praise of the president.
The comment marked an escalation in scrutiny of Minaj’s political alignment, which has drawn criticism following her December appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest.
Although the opening monologue remained comparatively restrained, Noah sharpened his tone later in the broadcast.
After Billie Eilish won song of the year, he linked Trump to past controversies while joking about the former president’s interest in Greenland.
The remarks drew audible reaction from the audience, prompting Noah to say, “Oh, I told you, it’s my last year. What are you going to do about it?”
He later joked about Trump’s history of legal threats, saying the Grammys were airing live because editing the show could trigger a lawsuit.
Trump responded hours later on Truth Social, forcefully rejecting one of Noah’s claims and threatening legal action, calling the joke false and defamatory.
The exchange underscored how the show’s humor continued to intersect with national political tensions.
Minaj responded separately through a series of posts on X following the broadcast.
In one statement, she wrote that “God will not be mocked,” framing Noah’s remarks as part of a broader attack against her.
Her reaction followed weeks of increased attention on her public support for Trump, including remarks praising him for giving people hope.
The controversy unfolded during Noah’s sixth and final time hosting the Grammys, a role he said he was leaving in line with his belief in term limits.
Only Andy Williams has hosted the ceremony more frequently, making Noah’s tenure among the longest in the show’s history.