Jelly Roll refused to retreat after drawing criticism for a joke he made about President Donald Trump while guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, including a jab in which he referred to Trump as a “fat pig.”
The 41-year-old singer addressed the backlash on Tuesday, after some critics accused him of mocking the very audience that has helped fuel his rise, following comments about Trump’s weight during Monday night’s monologue.
Jelly Roll said he found it surprising that those remarks became “the weirdest thing I’ve ever done to stun people,” pointing to his own unlikely life story as a “former felon,” “a drug dealer who has lost 300 pounds,” and someone with “tattoos all over his face.”
The artist, born Jason Bradley DeFord, went on to joke, “What a turn of events: Who would have guessed I’d get in more trouble with the president than Rosie O’Donnell?”
The Save Me singer suggested that anyone occupying the Oval Office should be prepared to absorb a little late-night ridicule.
Jelly Roll, 41, stood by a joke he made about President Donald Trump while guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“Let’s be honest for a second — any U.S. president should be able to handle a few jokes, right?” Jelly Roll said. “They should also be able to handle gas prices, healthcare and the occasional international conflict, but beggars can’t be choosers.”
Our News Outlet has contacted representatives for Jelly Roll seeking additional comment.
The country music star raised eyebrows on Monday after directing punchlines in the president’s direction when speaking about the IndyCar Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C.
Jelly Roll joked that ‘the president seemed to enjoy the IndyCar race, which was a real switch-up for him because normally he only likes his own race.
‘Trump also drove around the track in his motorcade doing what they call the “lap of honor” – which sounds like a loyalty program at a strip club.’
He then shifted the topic to Trump’s appearance, saying that the Sunday drive marked ‘the only laps Trump’s been doing lately.’
After a montage of clips of Trump alluding to people’s appearances, Jelly Roll said, ‘Well, Mr. President, from one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important.
‘It’s crazy, think about this, y’all. In the last few years, I’ve lost 300 pounds. That means I’ve lost an entire Donald Trump – and let’s be honest, based on his approval ratings, it seems like most of the country wants to do the same thing.’
Jelly Roll on Tuesday said that in the wake of the controversial monologue, he faced pushback from some folks online since he ‘didn’t treat the president with reverence and dignity.’
Trump pictured in the Rose Garden of the White House on Monday
Jelly Roll on Tuesday said that in the wake of the controversial monologue, he faced pushback from some folks online since he ‘didn’t treat the president with reverence and dignity’
Jelly Roll garnered controversy after making a series of jokes at the president’s expense Monday
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The entertainer continued, ‘I want to remind y’all that I go by the name Jelly Roll – I don’t even treat myself with reverence and dignity!’
Jelly Roll said he believed many viewers ‘were just surprised that I had any opinions at all.
‘They see a guy that looks like me and assume the only opinion I have is whether I prefer my meth crystal or classic!’
Jelly Roll said jokes about the president come with the territory of the high-profile position, noting the Democrat who Trump prevailed over in the 2024 presidential election.
‘Look, y’all, I get it there’s some people are mad at me for goofing on Trump,’ he said. ‘But if you wanted me to make jokes about Kamala Harris, you should have voted for her!’
He addressed people who suggested a boycott of his material in a tongue-in-cheek manner.
‘So for those who threaten to stop listening to my music based on my comments last night, I just want to say with conviction – go right ahead – cause I’m gonna keep speaking my truth, or my name isn’t Post Malone!’
