- Trump maintains that he cut ties with Epstein around 2004 and insists he never visited Epstein’s private island
- He stressed that, until the joke was made publicly, he had never been accused of such by the media or Epstein’s accusers
- His private island, purchased in 1998, has been cited by several survivors as a location where abuse allegedly occurred
Legal tensions flared in the United States after President Donald Trump threatened court action against comedian Trevor Noah over a joke made at the Grammy Awards that referenced Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Noah, who hosted the awards ceremony, drew laughter and controversy when he quipped that the Grammy for Song of the Year was something artists desired “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” adding that Epstein’s island was gone and a new one was needed “to hang out with Bill Clinton.”, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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The remark quickly drew a sharp response from Trump, who has acknowledged knowing Epstein socially in the past but has repeatedly denied any involvement in his crimes.
Trump maintains that he cut ties with Epstein around 2004 and insists he never visited Epstein’s private island. US justice authorities have also stated that allegations linking Trump to Epstein’s criminal activities are false.
Reacting via his Truth Social account, Trump accused Noah of spreading false and defamatory claims, insisting that he had never been to Epstein’s island or anywhere near it.
He stressed that, until the joke was made publicly, he had never been accused of such by the media or Epstein’s accusers.
“I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island,” Trump wrote, describing Noah as a “total loser” and warning that his lawyers would take action. “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you,” he added.
Epstein, who faced federal sex trafficking charges, was found dead in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.
His private island, purchased in 1998, has been cited by several survivors as a location where abuse allegedly occurred.
Former President Bill Clinton has also denied any wrongdoing. In 2020, his spokesperson said Clinton had never visited Epstein’s island, and no charges have ever been brought against him in connection with the case.
Trump’s threat against Noah comes amid a history of legal battles with media organisations. In recent years, he has pursued lawsuits against outlets including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and in December filed a major defamation suit against the BBC over the editing of a Panorama documentary.
Trevor Noah, a South African-born comedian, is best known for hosting The Daily Show on Comedy Central for seven years and frequently blends political satire into his public appearances.
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