Country music star Jelly Roll has been uninvited from performing at the Second Annual Big Blue Bash, a police charity gala set to take place in November at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The decision, confirmed Friday by Law Enforcement Today, the organization behind the fundraiser, stems directly from remarks the singer made about President Trump during his guest-hosting stint on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in August.
"What I saw last week with this self-absorbed ‘artist’ bashing President Trump and Conservatives was not a man who walks in the footsteps of Jesus Christ — it was a man desperately seeking attention and relevancy from the very Godless crowd that has categorically rejected his preaching." Kyle Reyes, President, Law Enforcement Today
Kyle Reyes, president of Law Enforcement Today and operator of the Blue Lives Matter account on X, formally announced the withdrawal of the invitation. The gala, which raises funds for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation to support families of officers wounded or killed in the line of duty, will proceed with its other scheduled performers.
The invitation to Jelly Roll, dated April 26, 2026, had asked him to close the event with a set of worship songs. However, according to Reyes, neither the singer nor his representatives ever responded to the offer. A separate source speaking to Fox News Digital indicated that Jelly Roll's team had no direct contact about the event and only became aware of the invitation through online discussions.
The controversy ignited after Jelly Roll's August appearances on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" During his monologue, he made several jokes at President Trump's expense, touching on his weight, physical fitness, and approval ratings. "Well, Mr. President, from one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important. And trust me, you’ll be happy to see your penis again," Jelly Roll stated on air. He further quipped, "It’s crazy. Think about this, y’all. In the last few years, I’ve lost 300 pounds. That means I’ve lost an entire Donald Trump." He also added a jab at the President's poll numbers, saying, "And let’s be honest, based on his approval ratings, it seems like most of the country wants to do the same thing."
Following these comments, Jelly Roll addressed the perception of his political leanings. He denied that the show’s writers had scripted his political material, asserting, "Do you think I would take orders from some sweaty little dork named Josh? No, I was just telling it like it is." He acknowledged the surprise among fans who had previously assumed he supported President Trump. "It is funny that before this week everybody thought I was MAGA. And now they think I’m some sort of liberal snowflake," he remarked, attempting to clarify his position: "Sure, I lean left on some things. But like most folks, I’m pretty down the middle. I am a Christian. I am a country music singer. I’m a farmer. I’m a bow hunter." He concluded his final Kimmel appearance by jokingly bidding farewell to the staff as his "communist, Antifa friends."
Reyes reacted strongly to Jelly Roll’s routine, particularly the comments targeting President Trump and conservatives. In a post on X, he stated, "What I saw last week with this self-absorbed ‘artist’ bashing President Trump and Conservatives was not a man who walks in the footsteps of Jesus Christ — it was a man desperately seeking attention and relevancy from the very Godless crowd that has categorically rejected his preaching." Speaking further to Fox News Digital, Reyes emphasized that while the organization did not hold a grudge, they would not compromise the event's tone. "We don’t hold Jelly Roll’s hate against him — but we sure aren’t going to welcome him into the home of the very man he decided to attack," he said, adding that the singer’s remarks amounted to "a betrayal of his fans, his faith and all believers."
The Second Annual Big Blue Bash, themed "American Superheroes," is still scheduled to feature a lineup including Lou Ferrigno, known for his role as the Incredible Hulk, alongside actors Dean Cain and Kevin Sorbo. Performances by Rachel Holt and Coffey Anderson are also confirmed, with a surprise tribute segment from a past "American Idol" contestant honoring the families of fallen officers. The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) president, in a statement attached to the original invitation, had previously described the group as strictly nonpartisan, committed to supporting law enforcement across all agencies and administrations. Despite the controversy surrounding Jelly Roll's uninvitation, organizers maintain that the event’s core mission of supporting law enforcement families remains paramount.
