US President Donald Trump has threatened legal action against the host of the 68th Grammy Awards following a joke made during the ceremony that linked him to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The remark was made by comedian Trevor Noah while presenting the Song of the Year award, which was won by Billie Eilish for Wildflower. As he congratulated the singer, Noah joked that Trump wanted Greenland “almost as much as he wants Greenland,” referencing the president’s past comments about acquiring the Arctic territory.

Noah then followed up with another quip suggesting that Trump needed “a new island” to socialise on after Epstein’s death, drawing laughter from the audience.

The comedian, who announced that this would be his final year hosting the Grammys after six appearances, has largely stayed away from political commentary in previous editions of the ceremony.

Trump responded angrily on his Truth Social platform, where he described the Grammy Awards as “virtually unwatchable” and criticised Noah’s remarks.

“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, I have never been accused of being there,” the president wrote, insisting that even media organisations he often criticises had not made such claims.

He went on to describe Noah as a “total loser” and said the comedian needed to “get his facts straight,” adding that his lawyers would be instructed to pursue legal action.

Trump has previously acknowledged knowing Epstein socially, saying they moved in similar acircles in Florida and New York, but has maintained that he later cut ties with him. In recent months, he has opposed the release of court documents linked to the disgraced financier.

Last week, millions of pages of documents were released, containing references to several prominent figures, including Trump, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton and Britain’s Prince Andrew.