Trevor Noah’s Grammys Jokes on Immigration & Shakira? Yeah, That Didn’t Land
Trevor Noah has hosted the Grammys five times, but this year’s monologue didn’t land the way he intended.
The South African comedian, known for his sharp political commentary, drew backlash for remarks about immigration and Colombia that many found offensive. Social media erupted in criticism, calling his jokes tone-deaf amid ongoing deportations and anti-immigrant rhetoric in the U.S.
Trevor Noah’s Grammys Joke About Immigration Didn’t Land
During his opening monologue, Trevor Noah made a comment about the voting process for the Recording Academy. “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,” he joked.
According to BuzzFeed, the comment quickly drew reactions from the audience and social media. Grammy-winning artist Doechii visibly rolled her eyes, a moment that went viral almost instantly. Some viewers saw Noah’s remark as a jab at the Trump administration’s immigration policies, but others argued that invoking undocumented immigrants in a joke—especially amid mass deportations—was inappropriate.
Social Media Reacts
If the immigration joke sparked debate, Noah’s remark about Shakira and Colombia sent outrage levels soaring. While introducing the Colombian singer, he quipped, “Three-time Grammy winner Shakira is in the house. The greatest thing out of Colombia that isn’t a Class A felony.”
The audience response was mixed, with some attendees visibly cringing, according to TMZ. On X (formerly Twitter), the backlash was swift. “So the Grammys already start out with an insult to Colombia when Trevor Noah mentions Shakira,” one user posted. Another added, “Colombia is talent, culture, and resilience. No need for outdated, tone-deaf jokes.”
Many took offense at the implication that Colombia is primarily associated with drug-related crime. Some pointed out that Noah, a comedian known for his political awareness, should have recognized how this would be received—especially given recent U.S.-Colombia tensions over Trump’s trade threats.
Trevor Noah’s Political Jabs: Satire or Poor Timing?
Noah’s monologue also included direct references to Trump’s policies. At one point, he said, “There’s been a few changes in Washington. So I’m gonna enjoy tonight because this may be my last time I get to host anything in this country.”
The joke came as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids led to more than 1,100 arrests across the country. While some saw it as a clever critique of Trump’s stance, others felt it trivialized real fears faced by immigrants.
Will Trevor Noah Address the Backlash?
While some defended Noah, arguing that his intent was to satirize rather than endorse anti-immigrant sentiment, the response online has been overwhelmingly critical. Many are now calling for him to acknowledge the backlash and issue a response.
With the controversy still unfolding, it remains to be seen whether Noah will address the criticism. But one thing is clear: this year’s Grammys left many Latino viewers feeling unseen and disrespected on one of music’s biggest nights.
