Trevor Noah Roasts Nicki Minaj and Trump During the Grammys Monologue
Trevor Noah returned to the center of the music world on Sunday night, roaming the floor of the Crypto.com Arena for his sixth and final stint as the host of the Grammy Awards. While the comedian is known for his sharp wit and easy charm with the stars, he didn’t hold back when it came to those who weren’t in the room. He took particular aim at Nicki Minaj, whose recent political pivot and visit to the White House became a centerpiece of his monologue.
The host drew massive cheers when he pointed out that Minaj was likely still at the White House, engaged in deep discussions with Donald Trump. He even broke into a signature impression of the president, joking about who actually possessed the most impressive physical assets in their high-stakes meeting.
The humor clearly touched a nerve, as the president responded with a late-night post on Truth Social, accusing Noah of being a talentless and pathetic M.C. and threatening legal action over his commentary.
Noah, however, seemed entirely unfazed by the looming threat of a lawsuit, leaning into the freedom that comes with a farewell performance. He reminded the crowd that since this was his final year in the role, there was very little anyone could actually do to stop him.
He also poked fun at the president’s history of litigation against major networks, suggesting the show was airing completely live, specifically to prevent a multi-billion-dollar settlement over edited footage.
The monologue wasn’t entirely focused on politics, as Noah also took time to celebrate the legendary Lauryn Hill. He noted that the last time she graced the Grammy stage in 1999, the world was a very different place, obsessed with presidential scandals and fears that computers were about to end civilization.
He then pivoted to the night’s heavy hitter, Kendrick Lamar, offering him a playful congratulations while acknowledging he was wise enough not to roast a man capable of dismantling international superstars with a single track.
In a lighter moment, Noah shared a seat with Bad Bunny, jokingly asking for asylum in Puerto Rico if the political climate in the U.S. became too intense. The singer quickly reminded the host that Puerto Rico is, in fact, already a part of America, much to the amusement of the surrounding guests. Noah’s departure marks the end of an era for the awards, as he officially steps down to honor what he calls his own personal term limits as the face of the ceremony.
In the current landscape of the year, Trevor Noah is staying incredibly busy as he transitions away from his high-profile hosting duties. He is currently in the middle of a massive North American stand-up tour, which kicked off with a surprise YouTube special filmed in his native South Africa on New Year’s Day. The special, which was released for free as a gift to his fans, has already garnered millions of views and praise for its raw, unfiltered look at global culture.
Beyond his comedy, Noah is finding success as an author and a producer through his company, Day Zero Productions. While he narrowly lost the Grammy for Best Audio Book to the Dalai Lama, his children’s fable Into the Uncut Grass has remained a fixture on the New York Times Bestseller list for months.
He is also set to headline the prestigious “Convening Leaders” summit in Philadelphia later this season, where he will discuss the future of storytelling and resilience in a rapidly changing world.
Whether he is performing in sold-out arenas or producing award-winning content, Noah’s influence as a global storyteller continues to grow long after his final bow on the Grammy stage.
Do you think Trevor Noah’s sharp political commentary was a fitting way to end his six-year run as the Grammy host? Share your thoughts in the comments!