Jimmy Kimmel has turned his summer break into something of a tradition, stepping away from his late-night hosting duties and handing the reins over to celebrity guest hosts. This week, Jelly Roll took over the show for a four-night run from August 24 through 27.
During his time behind the desk, the country star welcomed several high-profile guests, including actor Glen Powell, author Jay Shetty, comedian Leanne Morgan, and musical guest Stevie Nicks.
Jelly Roll’s Donald Trump Joke Sparks Backlash
On his first night hosting, Jelly Roll made a joke about President Donald Trump that quickly drew criticism from some viewers.
The “Save Me” singer referenced a Washington Post report about Trump’s reported weight gain, which placed his weight at nearly 240 pounds and discussed concerns raised by his doctors.
Jelly Roll, who has publicly documented his dramatic weight-loss journey over the past three years, joked:
“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.”
He then sarcastically suggested that people should not make jokes about someone’s weight because the President would “never” do that himself.
The show then aired a compilation of clips featuring Trump making remarks that some viewers have described as fat-shaming.
Jelly Roll followed up by saying, “Well, if that ain’t the pot calling the kettle fat,” before adding:
“Well, Mr. President, from one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important.”
The comments quickly became a topic of discussion online, with viewers expressing different opinions about the comedian-style jokes and Jelly Roll’s decision to address Trump in that way.
Watch the full segment in the video below. Please note that some language may not be suitable for younger audiences.