Trevor Noah's Grammy Opening Monologue Takes Aim at Trump and Minaj
Comedian and host Trevor Noah launched the 2026 Grammy Awards with a politically charged opening monologue that targeted former US President Donald Trump and rapper Nicki Minaj, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the star-studded audience.
Jabs at White House Visit and Presidential Impersonation
Following the opening performance by Bruno Mars and Rose, Noah immediately referenced Minaj's recent visit to the White House, where she expressed support for Trump. "Nicki Minaj is not here, she is not here, she is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues, actually," Noah quipped, prompting laughter and applause from the crowd.
He then launched into a mocking impersonation of Trump, saying in character: "'Nicki, I have the biggest ass, I have it, everybody's saying it Nicki, I know they say to you, but it's me, wop, wop, wop, look at it, look at it, baby'." The bit highlighted Noah's signature blend of humour and political commentary, setting a tone of satire for the evening.
Historical References and Crowd Observations
Noah also made pointed references to contemporary events, including the release of the Epstein files, and contrasted them with the past. "The one and only Ms Lauryn Hill will be performing on that stage tonight, which is insane when you think about it, because the last time Lauryn Hill performed at the Grammys was in 1999," he noted.
He continued: "Back in 1999, the president had had a sex scandal, people thought computers were about to destroy the world, and (P) Diddy was arrested. Boy, how times have changed." Observing the celebrity-filled room, which included Kendrick Lamar, Tyler The Creator, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga, Noah joked that it felt like "Amazon boss Jeff Bezos's wedding but with way more black people."
Artists Protest ICE Policies on Red Carpet
The political undercurrents extended beyond the stage, as several artists used the red carpet to protest US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. Musicians including Joni Mitchell, Kehlani, and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon were spotted wearing "Ice out" and "Be Good" badges, signalling opposition to ICE's deployment in American cities.
Kehlani, who won her first Grammy for best R&B performance for Folded, used her acceptance speech to slam the agency, declaring: "I hope everybody's inspired to join together as a community of artists and speak out against what's going on. F*** Ice."
Vernon, whose band Bon Iver was nominated for best alternative music album, explained his support for legal observers monitoring ICE activities. "I think there's a reason that music exists and it's to heal and to bring people together," he told The Associated Press. "But the real work are those observers on the ground in Minneapolis. We just want to shout them out."
Context of ICE Controversy
ICE officers have been stationed in cities like Minneapolis as part of Trump's mass deportation programme, with approximately 2,000 agents positioned in Minnesota alone. The agency has faced intense criticism for aggressive tactics, including recent incidents where ICE agents shot and killed two individuals on Minneapolis streets: Renee Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti on January 24.
This blend of humour and activism underscored the 2026 Grammys as an event where entertainment intersected with pressing social issues, reflecting broader cultural conversations in the United States.
