Country music star Jelly Roll expressed regret over past political statements during his week as guest host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The comments came after a period of criticism from supporters of former President Donald Trump, according to HuffPost.
The singer, whose real name is Jason DeFord, addressed the backlash during his monologue. He said he wished he had handled certain remarks differently, per the HuffPost report. The week had drawn attention after Jelly Roll made jokes about Trump’s tariffs on Canada, including a line about the Great Lakes, as covered by the Toronto Star.
In a separate interview with Rolling Stone, Jelly Roll clarified his political stance. He said human dignity should not be tied to any political party, adding that his views do not fit neatly into Republican or Democrat categories. USA Today also reported on his efforts to clarify his positions after the Kimmel jokes sparked online debate.
The controversy extended beyond politics. Fox News host Jesse Watters claimed Jelly Roll was using the weight-loss drug Ozempic, a rumor the singer addressed directly, according to People magazine. Jelly Roll denied the claim and pushed back on the speculation.
The week on Kimmel marked a rare public platform for the musician, who has often avoided detailed political commentary. The combination of tariff jokes, a Fox News jab, and his own regret has kept him in headlines beyond his music.
What to watch next: Whether Jelly Roll continues to address political topics in future appearances or returns to a strictly music-focused public profile.
