At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, comedian Trevor Noah hosted the ceremony for the fifth consecutive year. During his opening monologue, Noah addressed the current political climate in the United States with his characteristic humor and satire. He remarked, “I don’t know if you know this — there’s been a few changes in Washington, so I’m going to enjoy tonight,” alluding to recent political developments. He further quipped that this “may be my last time I get to host anything” in the country, referencing the political atmosphere since President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Noah’s monologue touched on several political topics, including the Trump administration’s tariffs on imports and anti-immigration policies. He humorously suggested that these tariffs could impact the economy, mentioning that Beyoncé’s new tour might be affected and that the price of maple syrup could increase. He also made a joke about “illegal immigrants,” which garnered backlash from viewers and fellow musicians, including rapper Doechii.
In addition to his political commentary, Noah made a controversial joke about Shakira while presenting her award for Best Latin Pop Album. He described her as “the best thing from Colombia that isn’t a class A felony,” a remark that was met with criticism.
Despite the backlash, Noah continued to host the event, which featured several notable moments. Beyoncé won her first-ever Album of the Year, adding to her record 34 Grammy wins. Kendrick Lamar took home both Record and Song of the Year for his track “Not Like Us.” Taylor Swift, despite being nominated for six awards, left empty-handed but maintained her reputation as the person enjoying the award shows the most.
The ceremony also highlighted a generational shift in the music industry, showcasing new talents like Chappell Roan, who won Best New Artist and used her acceptance speech to criticize the music industry for exploiting artists and called for improvement in wages and healthcare. Other emerging artists, such as Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone, Raye, and Doechii, provided viral moments and strong performances.
The event took place amid significant socio-political unrest, with ICE deportations and legislative changes prompting protests in Downtown Los Angeles. Despite these pressing issues, the awards ceremony largely maintained a feel-good tone, focusing on honoring LA’s cultural contributions and fundraising for wildfire victims. Notable moments included Kendrick Lamar’s wins and charitable efforts by celebrities, but the event steered clear of directly addressing broader political challenges impacting artists and marginalized communities. Performers and winners, such as Lady Gaga and Shakira, made poignant but indirect references to issues like immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
Noah’s comments about the political climate and his future as a host in the United States reflect his ongoing engagement with socio-political issues through his comedy. His tenure as host of The Daily Show from 2015 to 2022 was marked by his incisive commentary on American politics and culture. His remarks at the Grammys continue this tradition, using humor to provoke thought and discussion about current events.
As of now, there has been no official statement from Noah regarding his future hosting plans in the United States. His comments at the Grammys may have been intended as satire, highlighting the challenges faced by comedians and public figures in the current political environment. Whether he will continue to host events in the U.S. remains to be seen, but his influence on the comedy and entertainment industries is undeniable.