Trending Now: Photos of Jelly Roll with Kristi Noem resurface after Grammy speech – Celebrity News – Entertainment – Fans React

Photos of Jelly Roll cozying up to US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have resurfaced after the country music star and rapper dodged questions about politics at the Grammy Awards.

The 41-year-old faced backlash after calling himself a ‘dumb redneck’ after being asked to speak on what’s happening in the country, specifically when it comes to Donald Trump and the DHS’s ongoing immigration crackdown, after using his acceptance speech to preach about Jesus during the awards ceremony on February 1.

Speaking with the press backstage at the 68th Grammy Awards, where he walked away with three trophies, Jelly Roll was asked by a reporter, “Would you be willing to comment on what’s going on in the country right now?” to which he initially replied, “Not really.”

He went on to say, “So this is the truth, and I’m glad somebody asked, because I love talking about this stuff, and people care to hear my opinion, but so I can tell you that people shouldn’t care to hear my opinion.”

“People shouldn’t care to hear my opinion, man. I’m a dumb redneck. I haven’t watched enough. I didn’t have a phone for 18 months. I’ve had one for four months and don’t have social media,” Jelly Roll, real name Jason DeFord, said. “I hate to be the artist that’s that aloof, I’m just so disconnected from what’s happening.”

Fans were disappointed in the answer, especially after he used his acceptance speech to preach about religion. “I want to tell y’all right now: Jesus is for everybody, Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by any label… no… Jesus is Jesus,” the hitmaker said on stage.

Now, an Instagram post made by Noem in August 2024, who has been criticized for her leadership of ICE, has resurfaced, hinting that Jelly Roll’s “dumb Redneck” claims are just a cover for his true political leanings.

The carousel of photos shows Jelly Roll stepping off a private plane in South Dakota, greeting Kristi Noem with a big hug, and posing together on the tarmac.

“Jelly Roll makes incredible music — but his heart is even more incredible,” the Homeland Security Secretary captioned the post. “He has overcome so much in his life (I won’t recount it all here, but you should read about his story), and he pours that journey out in his music.”

She continued, “I am proud to call this man my friend. I welcomed him to South Dakota and got to hear him play his first ever concert at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip!”

Several A-listers spoke out against Kristi Noem and the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown, which has resulted in the shooting deaths of Minneapolis residents Reneé Good and Alex Pretti, both 37. Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, Joni Mitchell, and many others condemned ICE during their speeches and wore ‘ICE OUT’ and ‘BE GOOD’ pins.