This week, Invictus dropped a cute promotional video for the upcoming Vancouver/Whistler games. The video featured Jelly Roll, the American country/pop singer, giving Prince Harry a neck tattoo. It was an announcement that Jelly Roll would be the headliner at the Invictus concert, and the whole thing was very cute. Last night, on the carpet at the CMAs, they asked Jelly Roll about meeting Harry and he could not have been more effusive.
Jelly Roll on #PrinceHarry – He is the guy, he was awesome, what a sweet guy. What they are doing with the Invictus Games is just one of the greatest arts of humanity ..and I am honored to get to do it”#DukeofSussex pic.twitter.com/1LCxYUscgC
— ChrisBaronSmith (@ChrisBaronSmit1) November 21, 2024
This is exactly what Invictus wants: someone with a huge profile who publicly rizzes up the games and their Invictus founder. But of course, the anti-Sussex people cannot let a nice story about Harry sit there unchallenged. Apparently, people are mad that Jelly Roll might be an undercover Donald Trump supporter. Which is weird, because almost every “American royalist” is a Trump supporter, but now it’s a bad thing when it’s about a guy performing at the Invictus Games? Here are the basics of the “is Jelly Roll a secret Trumper?” story:
During a January 2024 Senate hearing in regard to Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown’s FEND Off Fentanyl Act, Jelly Roll opened up about his lack of political views. During his speech in front of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason DeFord) expressed his political views — and to the surprise of many, they were pretty much nonexistent.
“It is important to establish … that I am a musician and that I have no political alliance,” he said to his audience while expressing the dangers of fentanyl. I am neither Democrat nor Republican. In fact, because of my past, my right to vote has been restricted. Therefore, I have never paid attention to a political race in my life. Ironically, I think that makes me the perfect person to speak about this because fentanyl transcends partisanship and ideology.”
Jelly Roll has been open about his past felony convictions that have restricted him from traveling and booking shows internationally, as well as voting in United States elections. In fact, he even served some time in prison.
“I … understand the paradox of my history as a drug dealer standing in front of this committee,” he said. “But equally, I think that’s what makes me perfect to talk about this. I was a part of the problem. I am here now standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution.”
Even though Jelly Roll has said that he has no interest in politics as a former felon who cannot vote, that hasn’t stopped rumors from swirling that he may be a secret supporter of President-elect Donald Trump. In fact, a recent sighting of the two together at a UFC fight has fueled the flames even further. On Nov. 16, both Trump and Jelly Roll were in attendance at UFC 309, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. While they weren’t there together, they did greet each other with wide smiles, and the photos of their meeting are going viral.
The singer has never explicitly expressed support for Trump, but their apparent friendliness has caused folks on the internet — both Democrats and Republicans alike — to assume.
I never thought I’d say this, but it honestly doesn’t even matter if Jelly Roll is a Trump supporter because the dude can’t vote! And clearly, he’s not performing at Trump’s Nazi rallies, nor is he making a point of publicly identifying any kind of way politically. Now, is it still notable that Jelly Roll greeted Trump with a big sh-t-eating grin on his face? Sure. It sucks. It probably is indicative of his political philosophy. But again, the guy isn’t voting! And he’s clearly a huge supporter of Invictus, which is also a pretty apolitical organization.
Jelly Roll greets Trump with a huge smile as he walks into UFC 309
America is healing 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/tqpwgLCDVm
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 17, 2024
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- Country superstar, Jason DeFord known as Jelly Roll, performs to a sold out crowd of 15,000 at the Califrnia Mid- State Fair in Paso Robles, California. this is the 78th Annual Mid-State. Tuesday July 23rd, 2024.,Image: 891898040, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: JERRY PEREZ/Avalon/Avalon
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- Country superstar, Jason DeFord known as Jelly Roll, performs to a sold out crowd of 15,000 at the Califrnia Mid- State Fair in Paso Robles, California. this is the 78th Annual Mid-State. Tuesday July 23rd, 2024.,Image: 891898057, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: JERRY PEREZ/Avalon/Avalon
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- Country superstar, Jason DeFord known as Jelly Roll, performs to a sold out crowd of 15,000 at the Califrnia Mid- State Fair in Paso Robles, California. this is the 78th Annual Mid-State. Tuesday July 23rd, 2024.,Image: 891898062, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: JERRY PEREZ/Avalon/Avalon
Many British royalists are Trump supporters as well. I don’t really care who he supports because I barely know who he is and I don’t know his songs.
Genuine question, what polling or data are you basing that on?
Trump is fairly unpopular in the UK and the polls I’ve seen show that the majority of Tory voters wanted Kamala Harris to win (don’t forget that European politics skews left to US politics). Only Reform voters were more likely to support Trump and they are a minority.
Both the Tories and Reform are pro-Trump. Labour is not opposed to Trump either, they’re looking for ways to work with him and I won’t be surprised if Starmer invites him for another state visit.
Amy Bee – again genuine question, what makes you think this?
A YouGov poll just before the election found that Tory voters were more than twice as likely to prefer Harris to Trump (57% Vs 25%). Labour voters preferred Harris to Trump by 83% to 5%.
Please don’t judge us by a few mad figures on Twitter or the Daily Mail. The data shows that if the election had happened in the UK Kamala Harris would have won with two thirds of the vote.
Most of the Labour cabinet have described Trump as a racist in the past and have only stopped now for the sake of diplomacy and Ukraine.
Does it really matter if he can or cannot vote? The video he did with Prince Harry is fun, and he is pumping up Invictus, but if he could vote, he would likely vote for that vile man who is against so many of the things Invictus stands for. I’m not sure how one supporter gets a pass but so many others don’t? I am sure this is a much more nuanced situation, those are just my two cents.
@Grey, the point is we don’t know. Let’s not go all McCarthyism here and start to “divine” someone’s political beliefs by body language or whether or not they smile when they greet someone. You don’t know. I don’t know. Period. There is no “pass” to give here.
I have a feeling that he is the kind of person who just smiles at people if he is happy. The smile doesn’t indicate if he agrees with him or not.
yea, Sidney Sweeney didn’t get a pass for her MAGA relatives even though she never said anything out loud….and we ROASTED Taylor Swift for days until she came out for Harris even though we knew she was a Democrat.
So yea, I’m not sure why Jelly Roll gets to skate.
Probably because people view personal relationships differently than business ones. I don’t know if anyone has been advocating for people quitting their jobs if their manager or the owner is a Trumper, but people can side eye you for your new bestie being a Trumper. I think you probably can get away with it more in a professional environment because people have to eat.
Dee — I think that is fair and far more akin to real life relationships — I was more commenting on our fellow posters. He is getting a pass because of his connection with Invictus.
I agree, I don’t understand the point being made. Just because he can’t vote doesn’t mean he couldn’t sway voters if he chose to do so. Hell, Trump could pardon him…then he COULD vote. Don’t give him a pass simply because he was nice to Harry. He was also nice to Trump.
If he chose to not to stand up for marginalized groups, then he shouldn’t be expecting my support for anything. Quid Pro Quo.
Exactly. Taylor Swift got ripped to shreds here because her boyfriend’s teammates wife liked a MAGA post. Harry BFF Nacho regularly retweets Trump and Elon… now a video with Jelly Roll. It’s all very hypocritical.
I don’t get why we have to attack people for who they could possibly vote for if they could? The election is over. Trump won. Let’s move on. Republicans will keep winning if democrats don’t stop attacking everyone that they suspect may be a possible republican. People are over this witch hunt. Also, why would he not smile when meeting someone? That’s a perfectly normal thing to do.
Wait. Nacho is pro Trump / musk?
This exactly. I don’t care if he can’t vote – Trump supporters are POS
Will he be allowed into Canada? they turn visitors with DUI convictions away at the border. I’ve seen people stranded at at the airport and at the border because of it. happened once on a Greyhound bus, the driver said “it’s worth your time to check to see if you’ll be allowed in before buying your ticket” because they will have to leave you there.
With regard to Invictus, which is global, veterans and those still serving will have a broad range of political views.
Wait. Nacho is pro Trump / musk???
Well according to the data many white women and men are “secret” trump supporters so…
That part. Something like 60 percent of white voters went with Trump, so…
There were stats for subpopulations (Jews, LGTBQIA & atheists) of white voters who did not vote for Trump. These subpopulations are reliable democratic voters who, consistently, vote to ensure civil rights for everyone.
Jelly Roll has the luxury of being “apolitical” and not having to worry about policies that impact civil rights as he is a white, Christian, man. He’s probably like the multitude of white voters who are not religious minorities and/or LGBTQIA who either remain apolitical or play the “both sides are the same/corrupt” game. They really don’t care what happens unless/until they see that there is a direct threat to them personally. They don’t feel strongly enough to vote to support civil rights of others and don’t really care if others lose rights because, ultimately, they enjoy the privilege of being in the dominant culture and would prefer to maintain that it (and some flat out resent that privilege being pointed out)
Exactly. I live in a red state, so I’m well aware of the voting statistics of my family and friends. Unless you’re doing things like going to rallies, wearing red hats, and flying flags on your home, I just keep it moving.
I apply the same standard to celebs. This Jelly Roll guy doesn’t appear to have lent his name, face, or endorsement to any political party. How he (would have) voted isn’t really my business.
According to the data 53% of white women voters and 60% of white men voted for trump. In fact the last democratic president to get more than 50% of white voters was Lyndon Johnson in the 1964. So white voters for trump is no secret, it’s pretty much how things have been for over 50 years.
Too many
https://youtu.be/Iczsihf9NT4?si=ooKojG6qcPKXyDKQ
How many middle aged morbidly obese Southern fried white dudes are not mango believers AND don’t believe every conspiracy theory with their full chest? The video with Harry was cute, but at this point I avoid country music and any celebrities that are photographed with mango or publically supports him. Anyone photographed with him would have to be vetter in some way to get their pic taken with the tangerine terror.
Yep. Yep. Yep. Zero interest in this person.
I am failing to see how his weight gives any indication of his political leanings.
would not surprise me one bit but I will say, my husband looks exactly like that when he is talking to someone he doesn’t want to talk to. Except he’s usually all smiley but still obviously (to me at least) trying to get away, which doesn’t look like the case here. So it might be fake to be polite, but probably isn’t
Looks to me like he approached Trump which makes sense because I’m 100% sure Trump has no f*cking clue who he is. Hell, I didn’t even know who he was until recently and I’m not a 78-year-old man.
I don’t know about that, because I can picture DT scrolling any celeb he could and assessing the odds of getting their support.
Trump doesn’t know anyone who doesn’t flatter him–that’s how you get on his radar–and AFAIK, this guy has never publicly come out in support of him, more of your standard closet-supporter who doesn’t want to alienate his fanbase.
My face telegraphs my every emotion – however, my older brother is someone who can be pleasant with someone and not reveal his feelings. So, while I know nothing about Jelly Roll, a short snippet of him following social norms in a very public place is not the biggest red flag.
My face is so loud. Just. Cranked to 11. All the time.
The video was really very cute and it’s good to see him bigging up IG on the red carpet. It also seems like one of his songs will really resonate with veterans so it seems like a good fit. I’d like to think he’s not a trump supporter but of course idk.
This. The entire purpose of Invictus Games is reflected in one of Jelly Roll’s songs, and he has already brought so much attention to the Games and Vancouver.
I didn’t expect Pat Tillman’s mother to not do even a speck of research before bashing Harry, and in turn Invictus. By now, she surely knows how wrong she was and never backtracked and apologized.
Jelly Roll is supportive of Invictus Games with his whole chest, and I appreciate it so much. He’s said he doesn’t pay attention because he can’t vote, are we really comfortable parsing who people smile at? I am not, and I cried all night election night.
I am not a secret Trump voter, but I am getting tired of everyone being on this much of a hair trigger all of the time. I just can’t Google everyone on the planet to find out if they’ve made eye contact with DT. This level of scrutiny is unsustainable and exhausting. I also didn’t rip Taylor Swift apart, and I don’t think we all should have to qualify every single thing.
I do not know this man but he fits the profile of a TFG supporter
Actually being a white person fits the profile so glad you are judging people based on appearance.
I think it’s going to be a hard needle to thread because it’s the military, and with a military organization you’re going to have a vast variety of political differences. I mean I personally am not a fan of Macklemore and he played Invictus last year. I’ve been pretty vocal on here about cutting off people that would support Trump, but I also realize that your personal beliefs and what you have to do for business aren’t going to always align. And Invictus is bigger than just Harry’s feelings and if jelly roll is a celebrity that, 1. was willing to do the show, and 2. was big enough to get attention on it, that’s who they were going to work with.
I agree with this take. Invictus is global and requires support, funding and logistics from all quarters.
To be fair, he smiles at everyone and it looked like he was receiving compliments the way he had his hand on his chest, like when you say thank you etc. Not defending the he guy, but not pigeon holing him either. Said a white woman voting democrat my whole life. I despise that con and the several cons before him on that side. 60% if accurate is brutal and sad. I’m all in for equality and support marginalized communities. Xo.
When it comes to Invictus…I don’t think it should matter. Invictus is international. It is also for veterans, all veterans. And in America, that means ALL veterans, whether they support Cheeto Mussolini or not. I expect the entertainment to be pretty all encompassing, with international acts with draw.
I loathe Trump, but my heart can only hold so much hate. I can’t start searching for more just because somebody smiled once at Trump at a public event.
Like ☑️ 🤩🤩
This x 100. I have cut out family and friends, permanently. Those are the people I am responsible for drawing the forever line with.
Harry also worked with senators from both parties as his position at African Parks. I don’t know if he is a Trump supporter or if Harry and his team know, but I don’t think that would affect their choice. Invictus is apolitical, they are representing veterans and I assume some of them voted for Trump.
Sounds like sex offender logic: “she smiled at me, she wants me.”
Why was Donald Trump allowed to vote earlier this month? Or was he pretending to vote as a photo op? He is a convicted felon too.
@Sue Florida only bars felons from voting if the conviction was in Florida. Trump’s felony conviction was in NY
Got it – thank you for the clarification!
Lol at this story: is a non college educated white man from Tennessee a Trump supporter?? Hmmm. I’m not trying to downplay this because Trump is vile but realistically for something like Invictus which is focused on military people there’s bound to be some conservatives involved. Jelly Roll has been a long time supporter of orgs like Walking With The Wounded, which explains his passion for Invictus, and he has a large platform as one of country’s rising stars that he at the very least doesn’t use for hate like say a Jason Aldean. Invictus can’t just have all of their ambassadors be loud vocal democrats if they want to continue to my grow to more audiences and continue to have support across the partisan divide(though War and Treaty, which features an Iraq Veteran, and was also announced as an Invictus performer this week, did endorse Kamala and performed at a rally for her).
Also, Invictus is an international organization whose home base is in the UK. Over 20 countries are being represented and each one of those countries has their own political issues. It’s not all about the US.
I don’t understand how a singer who supports wounded warriors would even acknowledge Trump after he called wounded/dead soldiers, “suckers and losers.”
So now instead of gaydar, are people are going to claim they are ‘secret trump-supporter’ spotters? Are we going to be ‘outing’ MAGAS? This is getting ridiculous.
He smiled at the wrong person. So what? Maybe his Momma raised him to be polite.
“Outing Magas”….so what? They are in control. Why acquiesce? They out women who are trying to get abortions, outing families to be deported. They want conservative values pushed exclusively. His supporters don’t mind that he is a rapist and a racist. If they don’t care about human decency and equal rights, I find it hard to weep for them. Because of them, I’m worried about losing my healthcare because I have several pre-existing conditions. I’m worried tariff’s will be so high that I can’t afford the things I need. I’m afraid, really afraid. So afraid I am ready to leave the country if necessary.
All because Maga voters want to drag us back to the 1800’s. Not without a fight, they won’t.
I discovered Jelly Roll through the comedian Theo Von’s podcast. I really liked him, his voice, and his stories. I rooted for him. I went to his concert recently when he was in my town. It was like a country music/rock concert/church service/AA meeting. He prostelytized during songs, between songs, constant stream of egotistical, conservative, religious bullshit. I was very turned off. After Theo had the conman president on his podcast, which I did not listen to, I dropped both of them from my life. I did the same with David Spade and Dana Carrvey’s podcast. I just can’t take conservative people at all right now, overt or covert. They’re not funny or entertaining despite their political beliefs anymore.
Yeah your first mistake was listening to someone who was on Road Rules🙄
If he chooses to keep his thoughts to himself, whatever they might be, I’m fine with it. I enjoy his songs, though they can be somewhat depressing. The new one, “I am not okay,” is actually somewhat cheerful compared to the rest!
Who cares if he is likes Trump or not??
I would imagine quite a few commenters care given how upset they were with other celebrities who they felt were too Trump adjacent e.g. Sydney Sweeney, Taylor Swift.
Why should this guy get a pass and not others?
Cause some of us don’t have time or energy for all the hate!
He just smiled at the President elect!
Why be so mean?
He may not be able to vote but he can influence. What a disappointment.
We had so many A list celebrities try and influence and it failed. If Oprah, the Obamas, Beyonce and Taylor couldn’t do it. Jelly Roll was not going to move the needle to a Harris win.
People are just not ready for a powerful female President.
I don’t see him as a political person. I think he just wants to make his cash and go home to Bunny. And he is doing a really good thing for the Invictus Games. Also, something non-poltical. I don’t think he is MAGA at all. I think he is a guy that a massive second chance at life and ran with it.
My question would be – what do American politics have to do with an international sporting event that’s not even being held in the US?
This is an American website and we are allowed to talk about whatever is mentioned in the articles posted here until they take that right away from us. The president elect treats veterans and the military like scum. Does Jelly person stand up for them? No. His casual support of the orange felon will put more soldiers in danger than he will save. So what’s the point of the games themselves? Like hey thanks for fighting in some senseless battles here let’s have a field day thanks for your service and your legs!
They are talking g about a great purge of people from the US and women are dying in ERs across the nation. It all matters all the time .
Go look up Jelly man’s wife’s podcast and mentions of a convicted murderer name Wade. Go on and look at the trash these people are.
Nobody said you’re not allowed to talk. I am also allowed to talk and I said what I said.
Wait, American Royalists are mad? Nah. I’m team Sussex. And I’m also team not-letting-people-guess-whether-you-support-a-fascist-or-not.
Marin Morris stood up against country music and Jelly Roll had this to say – she “Jumped off a winning horse, bottom line, period.” It is ALL about the money.
MIRACLE ALERT!!!!!!!!
Matt Gaetz stepped down! Well, one sexual deviant down; dozens more to go!
I wonder if this is strategy. First nominate someone so offensive and unqualified that when he nominates someone just as hateful and dangerous but with a cleaner past and better PR, we just shrug and be grateful his first junk drawer appointments didn’t go through?
Woohoo!!!
Whose heart will give out first? Anyway did anyone see that video of Donnie Jr sticking his hand in his pocket and rubbing some sorta substance in his mouth?🤔
I’ll repeat what I said when someone called him a “major Trumper” on the other thread with Harry: I’m not pressed. He doesn’t use his platforms to promote Trump or MAGA values and what he does go on thhe record with is advocating male vulnerability, healing and redemption, and empathy for others. We aren’t assuming that because he actually says it in the press and in his music.
I also would point out that he’s a former white working class criminal who once had no future ythanks to blowing up his own life and he is now living an INSANE Cinderella story and it’s so obvious he can’t even believe he’s famous. The man lights up and geeks out over literally EVERY celebrity he meets, gushing over talk show hosts, singers, Prince Harry, Tracey Chapman, as well as Kid Rock and a former President, Donald Trump–who he ran into them at an unrelated, non-politcal event.
What I said on the other thread is that I am not going to use circumstantial evidence (or even confirmed generalized *private* beliefs for which someone takes no public action and shows full respect for ther viewpoints) to cancel someone and every good thing they do, such as partnerimg with the Invictus awards. That’s the kind of thing MAGA does to us and while I am all for cancelling thise actively speaking out against my fellow minorities, donating money to Trump and MAGA, advocating against women, civil, and LGBT rights, etc. But I am not going out looking for others to include in my rage. It’s going to be exhausting enough holding fast and pushing back against the avowed enemies.