Trevor Noah, known for his sharp wit and effortless stage presence, found himself at the center of controversy after his monologue at the 2025 Grammy Awards. The former “Daily Show” host, who has built a reputation for his incisive social and political commentary, seemed to struggle with delivery Sunday night, leading to some of his jokes being misinterpreted—or outright criticized.
A Rushed and Awkward Opening
Noah’s usual breezy charm appeared to falter as he rushed through his opening monologue, causing some punchlines to land awkwardly. His jokes, which leaned heavily on political themes, particularly those aimed at former President Donald Trump, left audiences divided.
His first stumble came mere seconds into the show when he quipped about how the Grammys operate:
“We’re going to be honoring the best in music as voted on by the 13,000 members of the Recording Academy and 20 million illegal immigrants.”
The joke, seemingly aimed at Trump’s longstanding and baseless claims about voter fraud, was met with visible disapproval from some attendees. Musician Doechii, seated near Noah, was caught on camera rolling her eyes in response. While her reaction’s exact meaning is unclear, many on social media felt the joke was poorly timed, given the heightened tensions surrounding immigration policies and mass deportation efforts. Others defended Noah, interpreting the quip as satire targeting Trump’s rhetoric rather than immigrants themselves.
Shakira Joke Draws Criticism
Doechii rolls her eyes at Trevor Noah’s Immigration joke #GRAMMYs
— Everything Doechii 🐊 (@EDoechii) February 3, 2025
📹 .@El_Poojy pic.twitter.com/qNBt29YnCG
Another contentious moment arose when Noah introduced Colombian pop icon Shakira:
“Three-time Grammy winner Shakira is in the house, everybody! The greatest thing out of Colombia that isn’t a Class-A felony.”
This remark sparked immediate backlash, with critics arguing that it perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Colombia, a nation often unfairly linked to drug-related crime. Many felt the joke was particularly ill-advised in the current political climate, where Latino immigrants have frequently been the targets of inflammatory rhetoric.
Political Jabs Land Unevenly
Noah’s monologue continued with more politically charged jokes, including one about Trump’s proposed tariffs:
“Yesterday, Beyoncé announced a new tour … I will say, though, Beyoncé, there’s tariffs, we can’t afford a new tour. Maple syrup is about to be $50.”
Later, he referenced Lady Gaga’s upcoming album, using it as a commentary on the state of 2025:
“Lady Gaga in the house! She’s going to be performing tonight, and she just announced her new album, ‘Mayhem,’ dropping next month. Which is really impressive, Lady Gaga. I don’t know how you knew the theme of 2025 when you named your album.”
While some appreciated the humor, others felt Noah’s delivery hindered the impact of his satire, making it unclear whether he was lampooning the artists or using them as vehicles for broader commentary.
A Self-Reflective Closing
Noah concluded his monologue with a self-deprecating remark that acknowledged the precariousness of his position as an immigrant in America:
“I’m gonna enjoy tonight because this may be my last time I get to host anything in this country.”
This closing line, delivered in his signature deadpan style, resonated with some viewers but also underscored the tension surrounding his performance.
A Polarizing Performance
Ultimately, Noah’s monologue at the 2025 Grammys left audiences split. While some appreciated his attempt at blending humor with social critique, others felt his delivery fell short, leading to misinterpretation and backlash. Whether this was simply an off night or a sign of shifting comedic sensibilities remains up for debate, but one thing is certain—Noah’s performance won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
