Jelly Roll compares his 300 lbs. weight loss to Donald Trump: 'That's crazy'


The "Son of a Sinner" rapper contextualized recent reports on the American president's health while guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!


Jelly Roll on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," Donald Trump greeting the Philadelphia Eagles© Getty Images
Ahad Sanwari
Ahad SanwariSenior WriterNew York
49 minutes ago

Jelly Roll is the latest guest host for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, following the very successful week-long stint by Rosie O'Donnell, who made her return to late night for the same.

The Grammy-winning country music star, 41, made his debut the night of August 24, for his second summer in a row guest hosting the popular ABC talk show.

Jelly Roll is the latest guest host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"© Getty Images
Jelly Roll is the latest guest host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Jelly Roll on weight loss and Donald Trump

One of the first things he did was point out that he was wearing a suit for the occasion, the first time he'd ever actually worn a suit and tie. "I mean, I didn't wear one for the Grammys, I didn't wear one to court, I didn't wear one to my father's funeral, but I look all right, don't I?" he quipped.

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, then turned to one of the bigger headlines, that being United States president Donald Trump's appearance at the IndyCar race in Washington D.C. over the weekend.

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"Sadly, those are the only laps Trump's been doing lately," he joked, then pointing to a recent report from The Washington Post which claims that doctors are concerned about the POTUS' recent weight gain posing a "significant health risk."

"After his last physical, we found out Trump gained 14 pounds, which means he is now tipping the scales at almost 240. That's crazy," Jelly Roll continued, then pointing to his own recent weight loss journey. Through a combination of extensive marathon training, a different diet, and a revamped wellness routine, over the past few years alone, the rapper has lost 300 pounds.

"Think about this, y'all, in the few last years I've lost 300 pounds," he noted, then quipping: "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."

Jelly Roll and Bert Kreischer attend the Two Bears 5k event presented by Netflix Is A Joke Festival at Rose Bowl Stadium on May 09, 2026 in Pasadena, California.© Getty Images
The rapper has been participating in several marathons over the past few years to aid in his fitness journey

He ended his set on the subject by saying, to the audience's amusement: "We should take it easy, y'all. We shouldn't be making fun of the president for his weight, because we know that he would never do that to other people."

Donald Trump's rollercoaster health journey

In recent months, Trump, 80, has sparked concern and made headlines over what seemingly looks to be bruising on his hands, although the latest medical report from the White House called it "minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking."

Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is expected to issue a proclamation on the 90th anniversary of Social Security and highlight his administration's efforts on the program. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)© Getty Images
"Think about this, y'all, in the few last years I've lost 300 pounds. That means I've lost an entire Donald Trump."

However, there is notable evidence of the president's weight gain. In 2023, when he was charged in Georgia for an election interference case, his weight was listed at 215 pounds.

In the White House's memorandum from the resident physician in April 2025, for instance, his weight was listed at 224 pounds, a nearly 10-pound increase. That number rose again in the White House's most recent medical memorandum, released in May 2026, when his weight was listed at 238 pounds.

 Donald Trump dances on stage after delivering remarks during a campaign and economic policy event in the Eugene Levy Fieldhouse at SUNY Rockland Community College on May 22, 2026 in Suffern, New York. Trump traveled to the Hudson Valley to help bolster the campaign of Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) as he seeks reelection in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most closely watched House races this November. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Trump has sparked concern about his health in recent months

Although Trump has previously spoken about the use of weight loss drugs, most recently in January 2026. When asked by The New York Times whether he had taken any drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy, he responded with: "No, I have not. I probably should."

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