NEWSJohn Rich Says Jelly Roll Knew He'd Lose Half His Fans With Political Comments After Cracking Jokes About Donald Trump on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
John Rich discussed how Jelly Roll’s political comments and jokes about Donald Trump on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' could make him lose fans.
Sept. 4 2026, Published 1:38 p.m. ET
John Rich said Jelly Roll knew that speaking openly about his political views and cracking jokes about President Donald Trump could go wrong.
"Because you know when you make statements that are that hardcore and to a large extent counteractive to the presentation you've been making – you do understand in country music that half or more of your audience may disown you," Rich said.
On The Benny Show, Rich pointed to the reaction that followed the singer’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
"He knows how this works, OK? He knows who the audience is," Rich said.
He continued, "And so I have to think he really believes every single word he said, or he wouldn't have said it."
Jelly Roll addressed the mixed reactions to his political views while filling in for Jimmy Kimmel.
Per Fox News Digital, the rapper later offered more context about where he stood politically while filling in for Jimmy Kimmel.
"It is funny that, before this week, everybody thought I was MAGA. And now they think I'm some sort of liberal snowflake," he said.
He added, "Hosting Jimmy Kimmel's show doesn't mean I have all of Jimmy Kimmel's politics. Sure, I lean left on some things, but like most folks, I'm pretty down the middle."
Jelly Roll Shares What Matters Most to Him
Jelly Roll spoke about his identity as a Christian and country music singer.
He also pointed to parts of his identity that remain important to him.
"I am a Christian. I am a country music singer. I'm a farmer. I'm a bow hunter. And most of the things I eat, I prefer to get with a stick and a string," he said.
He added, "That's the truth."
- Jelly Roll Tears Up After Donald Trump Criticism, Urges Divided America to Embrace 'Human Dignity' Beyond Politics on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
- Jelly Roll Says He's Lost an 'Entire Donald Trump' in Weight as He Triples Down on Political Jokes Amid Backlash
- Jelly Roll’s Sudden Shift to Donald Trump Criticism May Be a Side Effect of Ozempic, Rep. Andy Ogles Claims
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John Rich Compared Jelly Roll’s Choice To His Own
John Rich discussed Jelly Roll’s political comments and their impact on his audience.
In the same interview, Rich said he recognized the risk because he also faced professional consequences after speaking publicly about his political beliefs.
"Jelly Roll knew the same thing concerning his audience," Rich said.
He added, "Yet, he did it anyway. So to me, what that says is this guy is really who he says he is… what you saw him saying and how he presented himself on Jimmy Kimmel, that's Jelly Roll. That's who he is."
John Rich compared Jelly Roll’s experience with his own political outspokenness.
Rich also believed the reaction reflected how some fans viewed the 41-year-old before his comments.
"And I think what you're seeing from the backlash is people didn't know that's who he really is and that's how he really thinks," he said.
"He should have been talking that way from the very beginning, and he probably wouldn't have this problem," Rich concluded.
