Trevor Noah didn’t ease into his farewell as Grammys host — he went straight for the jugular.
Returning for his sixth and final stint at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, the Emmy-winning comedian opened the night with a monologue packed with pop culture jabs, political satire, and a particularly pointed swipe at Nicki Minaj — a moment that instantly lit up the room.
Nicki Minaj Becomes Early Punchline
Midway through his opening remarks, Noah turned his attention to Minaj, who was notably absent from the ceremony.
“Nicki Minaj is not here, she is not here,” Noah began, drawing loud cheers from the audience. He then launched into a mock impression of Donald Trump, imagining a fictional White House meeting between the rapper and the former president.
In the bit, Noah joked that Trump was bragging about having “the biggest ass,” mimicking the former president’s cadence and bravado. The joke landed with roaring laughter inside the arena — though it was hard to miss the underlying edge.
Minaj, despite being nominated 12 times over her career, has never won a Grammy. Her most recent nomination came in 2024 for “Barbie World,” her contribution to Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig.
A Political Tone Without Going Full Political
Hosting from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, Noah made it clear early on that the night would nod toward the state of America without turning into a lecture.
Opening with a joke about APT. by Bruno Mars and ROSÉ, Noah explained the Korean drinking game behind the song — before pivoting.
“In America,” he quipped, “every time you turn on the news, you drink.”
The line neatly set the tone: playful, sharp, and uncomfortably familiar.
Lauryn Hill, Time Travel, and a History Lesson
One of the monologue’s biggest applause moments came when Noah highlighted Lauryn Hill, noting that her performance marked her first Grammys stage appearance since 1999.
Looking back at that era, Noah delivered one of the night’s most memorable jokes:
“Back in 1999, the president had a sex scandal, people thought computers were about to destroy the world, and Diddy was arrested,” he said. “Boy, how times have changed.”
The line drew laughter — and knowing groans.
Celebrities, Bezos, and a Packed Room
As he scanned the audience, Noah rattled off names like Jamie Foxx, Pharrell Williams, and Doechii, before landing another punchline.
“There are so many stars in this room,” he said, “I feel like I’m at Jeff Bezos’ wedding — but with way, way more Black people.”
The audience loved it.
Bad Bunny, Term Limits, and Noah’s Goodbye Message
Throughout the night, Noah reminded viewers that this would be his last time hosting the Grammys.
“I believe in term limits,” he said. “I wanted to set an example for anyone watching — leave when your time is up.”
Later, he jokingly asked Bad Bunny if he could move to Puerto Rico “if things keep getting worse in America,” only for the global superstar to shut the idea down with comic timing.
Billie Eilish Win Sparks Another Trump Joke
After Billie Eilish won Song of the Year, Noah couldn’t resist another political callback.
“That’s the Grammy every artist wants,” he said, “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland — which makes sense, because Epstein’s island is gone, so he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
The joke drew gasps, laughter, and instant controversy — setting up the backlash that followed later that night.
A Grammys Era Comes to an End
Noah first took over hosting duties during his time as host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Even after leaving the show in 2022, he continued as Grammys host and executive producer.
This ceremony also marked the end of an era for CBS, which has aired the Grammys every year since 1973.
Starting next year, the awards will move to ABC under a long-term deal with Disney. From 2027 onward, the Grammys will air across ABC, Hulu, and Disney+, with the deal running through 2036.
Music Still Ruled the Night
Despite the political chatter, the night ultimately belonged to the artists.
Kendrick Lamar, a 22-time Grammy winner, led the 2026 nominations with nine nods, including Record, Song, and Album of the Year. Lady Gaga followed with seven nominations for Mayhem, while Sabrina Carpenter and Bad Bunny earned six each, all competing in major categories.
Final Words
Trevor Noah’s final Grammys hosting run wasn’t safe, subtle, or designed to please everyone — and that was the point.
With sharp satire, cultural callbacks, and political nerve, Noah closed his Grammys chapter exactly how he opened it years ago: confident, controversial, and fully in control of the room.
