The 68th Annual Grammy Awards — held on **February 1, 2026 — delivered one of the most talked-about ceremonies in recent memory, blending electrifying live performances. fashion statements that ignited social media, powerful political messages, surprising on-stage moments, and controversy stretching into the highest levels of American politics.

The show was broadcast for the final time on CBS after decades on the network. Music’s biggest night was anything but quiet — from bold outfits to outspoken protest statements, stumbled presentations from legendary artists, and a biting joke about a sitting U.S. president that triggered a firestorm online and in the political sphere.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key moments and the backlash that followed.

Head-Turning Fashion and Surprises on the Red Carpet

The Grammys red carpet kicked off the evening with a range of bold and daring looks that immediately dominated social feeds.

One of the most talked-about appearances was by Chappell Roan, whose racy and avant-garde dress sparked conversation not just for its design, but for what it represented at an event increasingly seen as a cultural flashpoint.

The night’s fashion — from shimmering gowns to edgy streetwear — reflected musicians’ ongoing embrace of self-expression and political identity, a trend that continues to blur the line between entertainment and statement-making.

Cher’s Viral Onstage Mix-Up

Among the most memorable live television moments of the night came courtesy of music icon Cher.

While presenting an award, the 79-year-old Grammy legend made a very public mix-up: instead of announcing the correct winners of Record of the Year, she mistakenly announced the late Luther Vandross, telling the audience he was the recipient. The reality was that Kendrick Lamar and SZA had won for their song “Luther” from Lamar’s album GNX.

Cher’s gaffe quickly went viral, prompting laughter and affectionate reactions from fans and the artists themselves. The mistake was blamed on a teleprompter issue; both the Grammys producers and Cher herself took the moment in stride, with many viewers calling it part of live TV’s unpredictable charm.

✊ Political Statements and Protest Against ICE

The ceremony also saw multiple artists use their platform for political expression, most notably around immigration enforcement in the United States.

• Bad Bunny, who won multiple awards including Album of the Year, delivered a pointed message in Spanish during his acceptance speech, saying “ICE out” and insisting *“We’re not savage, we’re not animals . . . we are humans and we are Americans.”
• Billie Eilish, accepting the Song of the Year award for “Wildflower”, spoke passionately about immigration issues in her own remarks, telling the audience, “No one is illegal on stolen land. We need to keep fighting and speaking up.”
• Olivia Dean, the Best New Artist winner whose grandmother emigrated from Guyana, also reflected on her immigrant heritage and the courage she sees in immigrant communities.

These statements underscored the continued role of entertainment awards as not just showcases for music, but as forums for public discourse on social and political issues.

The Epstein Files: A Major News Backdrop

In the days leading up to the Grammys, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, drawing renewed public scrutiny to the late financier’s extensive networks and the powerful figures whose names appear in the records.

The Epstein files release — conducted under the Epstein Files Transparency Act — included more than 3 million pages of documents, videos, and images.

It revealed references to dozens of high-profile individuals in emails, tips submitted to the FBI, and other materials, though appearances in the files do not constitute proof of wrongdoing.

Officials emphasized this point repeatedly: being mentioned in the documents does not mean evidence was found of criminal conduct, and many mentions came from unverified tips or contextual materials rather than substantiated evidence.

Even so, the public release — which followed intense political debate over how much to disclose and what redactions were appropriate — thrust the Epstein saga back into national headlines and popular conversation.
️ Trevor Noah’s Grammy Monologue and the Joke That Sparked Outrage

As host of the ceremony for the sixth consecutive year, Trevor Noah leaned into the charged political climate in his opening monologue and throughout the show.

He delivered a mix of humor, social commentary, and sharp satire — but one line in particular set off an extraordinary reaction from the White House.

Shortly after Billie Eilish’s Song of the Year win, Noah joked: “That is a Grammy that every artist wants — almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense, because since Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.”

This remark alluded to both international news discussions around Greenland and the ongoing public interest in the recently released Epstein files — specifically references to former President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little Saint James.

While the line drew audible gasps and laughs from the live audience and was quickly shared online, it also immediately drew criticism from political figures, most notably President Donald J. Trump.

Trump’s Response: Truth Social and Legal Threats

Within hours of the broadcast, President Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to blast both the award show and Trevor Noah directly.

In a lengthy post, Trump:

Called the Grammy Awards “the WORST, virtually unwatchable!”

Criticized the network, noting the ceremony’s shift away from CBS after this year’s broadcast — a move he framed as relief for the network.

Rejected Noah’s joke and denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island or being there “or anywhere close.”

Described Trevor Noah as a “poor, pathetic, talentless dope of an MC” and threatened legal action, saying, “Noah better get his facts straight . . . I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an MC and suing him for plenty$.”

Referenced previous legal settlements and suggested Noah might regret the comment.

Importantly, while Trump denied the suggestion in Noah’s joke, no credible evidence has emerged in these or any public federal filings that Trump visited Epstein’s private island or was accused of doing so by law enforcement — and the Department of Justice has cautioned that some mentions in the released files included “untrue and sensationalist claims.”

Trump’s post drew intense media attention not only for the substance of the threat, but also for its tone and the broader context of political combat between entertainment figures and political leaders.

How the Public and Media Reacted

The backlash and commentary did not stop with the president’s post.

• Late-night hosts and commentators responded on air; some mocked the legal threat, while others criticized the handling of the Epstein files and the broader political climate around such disclosures.
• Comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who had himself been referenced unfavorably by Trump in the same social media thread, joked about being unexpectedly dragged into the situation.
• Coverage across news outlets and social media highlighted the unusual intersection of pop culture and presidential politics — and the role awards shows now play in larger national discourse.

Broader Context: Epstein Files Controversy and Transparency

Beyond the Grammys controversy, the release of the Epstein files themselves has remained a major public policy story.

• U.S. lawmakers have criticized the pace and completeness of the release, arguing that required transparency has been undermined by redactions and selective disclosure.
• Justice Department officials defended the process, saying they worked to balance transparency with protecting victim privacy and ongoing legal considerations.
• Advocacy groups and some public figures have expressed frustration that the files, even in their millions of pages, leave unanswered questions about the full extent of Epstein’s network and the roles played by powerful individuals.

Importantly, no new criminal charges have been publicly announced against any individuals based solely on the latest document release, and mentions of high-profile names in the files are not evidence of illegal wrongdoing.

What This Means for Pop Culture and Politics

The 2026 Grammys highlighted how live entertainment has evolved into a platform that increasingly reflects and affects political and cultural debates.

From fashion as expression to speeches on immigration policy, and from viral moments to national political reactions, the evening underscored the intertwined nature of art, media, and leadership in 2026.

Whether fans loved it or hated it, critics praised its boldness or blasted its politics, the 68th Grammy Awards will be remembered as much for what happened off stage and online as for the music recognized on stage.