Trevor Noah Tackles Trump’s Legal Threats in Netflix Special

In his latest Netflix special, Joy in the Trenches, Trevor Noah tackles the pressing issues of our time while showcasing his distinctive comedic style.

Recorded at the historic Warner Theatre located in Washington, D.C., this special debuted on the streaming platform on Tuesday. Noah dives deep into a variety of subjects, including the current state of U.S. politics, the influence of social media, and even recounts the moment when Donald Trump threatened to sue him over a joke he made regarding Jeffrey Epstein during the Grammy Awards.

“It hits different when you’re in the crosshairs,” Noah remarks. “I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty crazy.” His words resonate with anyone who has faced scrutiny or backlash for their opinions.

At the beginning of his set, Noah reflects on his experience hosting The Daily Show for a remarkable seven years. During this time, he frequently addressed Trump and his administration, almost anticipating a reaction from the president. “Then I left The Daily Show, and I relaxed like an idiot in a horror movie,” Noah humorously states, highlighting the unpredictable nature of his career.

In February, while hosting the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, Noah announced the winner of the Song of the Year award, Billie Eilish. He then delivered a joke that provoked a strong reaction from Trump: “That is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone; he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.” (Trump and Clinton are both known to have had associations with the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, although they have both denied visiting his infamous private island, Little St. James, which is notorious for its criminal activities).

As he opens Joy in the Trenches, Noah shares the whirlwind of reactions he experienced after the Grammy event. Upon returning to Boston, he received approving nods from fellow passengers and an overwhelming amount of messages — all while his phone was switched off.

“I turned on my phone and honestly thought it was malfunctioning because it started vibrating before the icons popped up,” he explains. “Every app was going crazy: iMessage, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, even Uber Eats was like, ‘Yo, you got some hot shit coming in, man.’ I checked my messages, and everyone I’ve ever known in my life had texted me. Everyone. From kindergarten teachers onwards.”

Noah humorously recounts how he eventually encountered Trump’s post on his own platform, Truth Social, which the former president published shortly after the Grammys aired. On stage, Noah reads the entire Truth Social post to ensure accuracy, saying, “I don’t want to misquote anything.” He emphatically emphasizes every capitalized word from Trump’s statements, such as “The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable!” and Trump’s assertion that he has “never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close.”

Witnessing Noah’s hilarious reactions to Trump’s comments is worth the price of admission for the special. One standout moment includes Trump’s remark: “The host, Trevor Noah, whoever he may be, is almost as bad as Jimmy Kimmel at the Low Ratings Academy Awards.”

Noah sharply responds, “You can’t say ‘the host, Trevor Noah, whoever he may be,’ because that is exactly who I may be.” He clarifies, “I understand he was trying to dismiss me, but you said my full name and my job title on the night. You can’t be dismissive and be vague and specific at the same time. That’s not how that works. ‘Whoever he may be’ — I be nobody else. There is no may in this equation. That is exactly who I be.”

“It hits different when you’re in the crosshairs.”

Moreover, Noah addresses the alarming fact that Trump indicated, “it looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers” to file a lawsuit against him for defamation. Trump ominously concluded, “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!” — a statement Noah capitalizes on, noting its unsettling undertones.

He adds, “That last line is something: Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you! You know, if you’re not trying to sound like a sexual deviant, this is not the line I would recommend.” His comedic take on the threat adds a layer of humor to a serious situation.

At one point, Noah becomes candid about his feelings surrounding the incident, expressing uncertainty about how to react to the situation and whether Trump would actually go through with a lawsuit. He notes, “With him, there is no knowing.” As of now, Trump has not filed a formal lawsuit in either federal or state court.

Trevor Noah: Joy in the Trenches is currently available for streaming on Netflix.