Jelly Roll stepped into the spotlight in a whole new way after becoming the next guest-host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he put his weight loss on full display and even poked fun at the president.
The country star began the first part of a four-night guest-hosting run on the late-night talk show at the start of this week, while Jimmy Kimmel takes his summer break, and he quickly made headlines with his opening monologue. Not only did he flaunt and address his slimmed-down figure, but he also made a noteworthy joke about Trump that caught some viewers off guard. The moment came after the singer had faced criticism and speculation over his political views. Read more about his monologue and how the internet reacted to it below.
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Jelly Roll Begins Guest Hosting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' And Makes A Joke About Trump On-Air
On Monday, August 24th, the "Save Me" singer completed the first night of his time guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! while the host is on his summer vacation. He followed a stint by Rosie O'Donnell, but it wasn't his first time filling in on the late-night show, as he previously guest-hosted in 2025.
For his first monologue, Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, mentioned his own transformation, drawing attention to the approximate 300 pounds he has lost since beginning his weight-loss journey. He's spoken openly about his changing appearance and newfound confidence and used his dramatic slimdown as part of a joke about Donald Trump's reported weight gain. He then took the opportunity to make a pointed joke about the president, making the moment especially notable given the criticism and political speculation Jelly Roll has faced in the past.
"The president seemed to enjoy the IndyCar race, which was a real switch-up for him because normally he only likes his own race," he began. "Trump also drove around the track in his motorcade doing what they call the 'lap of honor'...Sadly, those are the only laps Trump's been doing lately. According to The Washington Post, a lot of doctors are worried about the president's weight. After his last physical, we found out Trump gained 14 pounds, which means he's now tipping the scales at almost 240. That means I've lost an entire Donald Trump. And let's be honest, based on his approval rating, it seems like most of the country wants to do the same thing."
Fans React To Jelly Roll's Monologue & Appearance
The dad -of-two's appearance also prompted plenty of positive reactions from viewers, with fans celebrating just how different he looks after losing nearly 300 pounds.
He began locking into his latest transformation at the end of 2022, keeping fans updated on the highs and lows of natural weight loss, as well as his go-to meals and workouts. The singer's weight loss wasn't the only thing that caught people's attention, though, as viewers were also surprised by how naturally he joked about the president he's been accused of supporting, with some fans admitting they didn't expect him to take such a strong comedic swing at the Apprentice star.
"Wait, I thought this dude went MAGA recently?" asked a YouTube user.
"This was funnier than I expected," commented another.
"You are funny, and you look good!" wrote a user.
"Jelly Roll, I love your music, and you are looking great," one user added. "Be proud of yourself."
"Jelly Roll is an amazing guest host," a user echoed, with another adding, "Jelly Roll is doing a great job."
