GOP congressman: Jelly Roll ‘not welcomed’ to Florida Panhandle after Trump jabs

Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.) ripped country star Jason DeFord, whose stage name is Jelly Roll, after the singer’s late-night monologue made fun of President Trump’s weight, with Patronis saying the singer is no longer welcome in his Florida Panhandle district.

Jelly Roll returned as a guest host on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Monday night, where he poked fun at Trump’s weight. The rapper-turned-country singer said he had shed 300 pounds, comparing that weight loss to “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,” he said.

He continued, “From one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important. Trust me, you’ll be happy to see your penis again.”

Several of Trump’s allies, including Patronis, were outraged on social media about Jelly Roll’s monologue.

Jelly Roll “is 100% not welcomed to Florida’s panhandle,” Patronis wrote on the social platform X . “I don’t even want to see his bus on I-10. He’s always been the token ‘country’ star the libs in California are allowed to enjoy. (He ain’t country, never was.).”

“Take the TDS elsewhere, loser,” he added, referring to “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

Jelly Roll responded to the backlash from his monologue on Tuesday’s episode , joking that he never thought he would get in more trouble with the president than actress Rosie O’Donnell, who has famously feuded with Trump for years.

“Any U.S. president should be able to handle a few jokes, right?” Jelly Roll said.

The singer has been quiet about his political affiliation in the past, but he hyped up the president’s move to host a UFC event on the White House South Lawn to commemorate the country’s 250th birthday.

Last year, Jelly Roll stirred headlines after testifying on Capitol Hill about the fentanyl crisis.

“At every concert I perform, I witness the heartbreaking impact of fentanyl,” he told lawmakers. “I see fans grappling with this tragedy in the form of music, that they seek solace in music and hope that their experiences won’t befall others.”

Jelly Roll was pardoned in December by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) after he was convicted of robbery in 2005 as a juvenile and broke parole. He was found with cocaine in his possession, and he was charged with intent to sell.

After being released from prison in 2016, the Tennessee Board of Parole unanimously recommended his pardon in early 2025.