Trevor Noah kicked off the 2026 Grammy Awards with a monologue that mixed humor with political barbs, targeting Nicki Minaj and Donald Trump while setting the tone for a night in which many artists used their moment in the spotlight to weigh in on issues beyond music.
As host of the ceremony on Sunday, Noah playfully pointed to Minaj’s absence, telling the audience, “Nicki Minaj is not here, she is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues, actually.” The joke drew laughs, underscoring the unusual mix of entertainment and political discourse at this year’s show.
