Ronnie Winter Comments On Trump Policy
Ronnie Winter, front man for the early 2000s alt-rock band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, ignited controversy this week after posting a video on Instagram declaring that supporters of President Donald Trump are not welcome at the band’s concerts — now or ever.
In the video, Winter issued what he called a “PSA,” reiterating his support for progressive activism and slamming Trump voters as incompatible with the values he claims to promote through his music.
“If you’re a Christian and you voted for Donald Trump, shame on you,” Winter said. “You are not allowed to come to my shows. I don’t want you there.”
Winter cited his ongoing commitment to what he described as the “Stay Woke campaign,” arguing that the predictions made by progressives in 2020 had come true and that his positions have only grown stronger. “The thing about being woke is: you’re awake, and once you’re awake, you can never go to sleep,” he stated.
He went on to contrast his religious beliefs with conservative political ideology, claiming that those who follow Trump cannot genuinely follow the teachings of Jesus.
“You’re going to hear a lot of woke propaganda, and you’re going to hear the actual words of Jesus,” Winter said. “That’s not what you’re about… Refunds are available. Forever, don’t come. Goodbye.”
The backlash was swift. Clips of the video circulated online, drawing both criticism and ridicule — much of it centered around the band’s declining cultural relevance. “Who?” asked one commenter, while another added, “Bold move from a band most people forgot existed.” Others noted that Face Down, the band’s breakout hit from 2006, was their only lasting entry into mainstream recognition.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus formed in Florida in 2003 and gained some attention in the mid-2000s with their emotionally charged, post-hardcore style. But beyond Face Down, the band has largely faded from the broader music landscape, with no major charting hits since.
Winter’s video has revived the band’s name — but not for musical reasons. The sharp political stance and demand that Trump voters self-exclude from future shows drew criticism from across the political spectrum, with many questioning whether alienating a large portion of potential listeners is a wise strategy for a band already far from its commercial peak.