Country music star Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, is brushing off criticism from President Donald Trump's supporters after he used his guest-hosting stint on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to poke fun at the commander-in-chief.
During Monday's episode, the Grammy-winning artist cracked jokes about Trump's weight, even comparing his own 300-pound weight loss to shedding an entire Trump. “That means I’ve lost an entire Donald Trump,” he said, adding, “And let’s be honest, based on his approval ratings, it seems like most of the country wants to do the same thing.”
He didn’t stop there. “From one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important. Trust me, you’ll be happy to see your p—- again,” he said, a line that drew sharp rebukes online.
On Tuesday's show, Jelly Roll addressed the backlash directly, quipping, “Any U.S. president should be able to handle a few jokes, right?” His defiance comes as social media erupted with anger from Trump loyalists, some of whom labeled him a “traitor.”
One X user, going by Eagle Wings, wrote, “Jelly Roll is a traitor. Country star. Grammy winner. Built his whole brand on the blue-collar, working-class, ‘one of us’ image. Fans thought he was different. Some even gave him a pass after he met Trump in 2024.” Another critic called him an “Ozempic enthusiast” and a “complete fraud,” accusing him of attacking the president.
Jelly Roll, who has a history of legal troubles and a face full of tattoos, responded to threats from fans to boycott his music with a simple challenge: “Go right ahead.” He then joked about a headline claiming his jokes left viewers “stunned,” noting, “As a former felon and drug dealer, who has lost 300 pounds, has tattoos all over his face—and won three Grammys—this is the weirdest thing I’ve ever done to ‘stun’ people.”
The controversy comes as Trump continues to be a polarizing figure in entertainment and politics. His administration has faced scrutiny on multiple fronts, from economic pressure on Iran to wavering positions on data centers. Meanwhile, his legal battles, including a dispute over the Kennedy Center, continue to make headlines.
Jelly Roll’s remarks have reignited debates about the role of comedy in politics and whether celebrities should tread carefully when mocking elected officials. For now, the singer seems unapologetic, doubling down on his right to joke about the president.
