Jelly Roll refused to back down after his Donald Trump jokes sparked outrage among some fans. The country star instead used his second Jimmy Kimmel Live! monologue to roast the backlash itself.
His guest-hosting stint apparently surprised viewers who assumed his politics matched their own. But Jelly Roll made it clear that late-night comedy came with punchlines, not party loyalty.
Jelly Roll clapped back at critics upset by his Donald Trump jabs during his guest-host monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Jelly Roll addressed the viral reaction during Tuesday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! episode. He displayed a headline from The Wrap questioning why his Trump jokes had stunned viewers.
“It’s because I’m hosting a damn late-night show. That’s where you talk about the news, and you make jokes,” he said.
The Grammy winner then admitted the reaction genuinely amused him. “I have to say, as a former felon, 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.”
Some MAGA supporters threatened to boycott Jelly Roll’s music after Monday’s monologue. Others accused him of abandoning a fanbase that included many Trump supporters.
Jelly Roll remained completely unfazed. “Some folks online were upset that I didn’t treat the president with reverence and dignity. But I want to remind y’all that I go by the name Jelly Roll,” he joked.
He continued, “I don’t even treat myself with reverence and dignity.” The singer then described calling himself “a pastry” while looking in the mirror.
The Tennessee native also poked fun at assumptions about his appearance. He said people seemed surprised that he even had opinions beyond his musical career. Then came another Trump jab. “Any U.S. president should be able to handle a few jokes, right?” Jelly Roll asked the cheering audience.
He added that presidents should also handle “gas prices, healthcare, and the occasional international conflict.” Ouch.
Jelly Roll previously said he had “no political alliance,” despite his friendship with Kimmel. He also made his position on the boycott threats crystal clear. “If you wanted me to make jokes about Kamala Harris, you should have voted for her,” he quipped.
For anyone still threatening to stop streaming his music, Jelly Roll had one final message: “Go right ahead.” Clearly, this pastry wasn’t crumbling.
