THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS’ Ronnie Winter Walks Back Trump Ban, Calls It a “Charade” Meant to Challenge Christianity

Ronnie Winter, frontman of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, ignited a firestorm over the weekend after publicly declaring that supporters of former President Donald J. Trump were not welcome at the band’s shows. The comments, delivered in a now-viral livestream, led to widespread backlash—and further confusion after Winter later claimed it was all part of a larger message meant to expose issues within modern Christianity.

On Monday, June 16th, Winter returned with a multi-part livestream where he elaborated on his views, initially doubling down on his previous statement. In one segment, he compared Trump to a performer:

“The guy that you like, he’s just like me. He’s an entertainer… he’s playing a character in a false reality that he created… just like oh I don’t know, Sleep Token, Slipknot, any band really when you think about it, who use, like, masks.”

Winter continued his commentary by saying he wanted Trump supporters to “keep your hat on”—a direct jab at those who he believed were hiding their political views at shows:

“You’re faking it. You’re coming to my shows and you’re acting like you’re cool with it. But you’re just taking the MAGA hat off before you come inside.”

He clarified his motivation by stating that his concern was to protect marginalized fans:

“I’m protecting my fans who are homosexual… from your general assholeness and shitty attitudes… I said, ‘don’t you fake it.’ So what happened is you missed the mark guys. You missed the mark way back in 2006 when I said ‘don’t you fake it.’”

But by the third video, the tone shifted dramatically.

Winter revealed that his outburst had been a “charade” designed to grab attention and spark dialogue—not about Trump, but about the limitations he sees in mainstream Christianity:

“This is what it looks like when somebody is so desperate to reach the lost that they will literally do anything to be heard… You all thought this was about Trump… but the image that set me off was sent by a Christian in my family… I wasn’t actually thinking about Trump.”

He explained that his real frustration lies with what he called the “God box”—a rigid, exclusionary view of faith that he believes alienates LGBTQ+ individuals and others who don’t fit a specific mold:

“The truth is they don’t know who God is. They never have and they never will. Neither will I. So how can I tell you who he does and doesn’t forgive?”

Winter wrapped up with an olive branch of sorts:

“You can come to my show if you want, man. I just didn’t think that you would enjoy it. Genuinely. Just trying to be real with you.”

Following the backlash, the band released a group statement attempting to clarify their position:

“The SAUL TO PAUL 1/2/3 take away is this. GOD’s invitation of LOVE into its heavenly kingdom, is open to EVERYONE… Obviously EVERYONE is invited to our events but leave the dividing topics out.”

Despite the attempt at reconciliation, the drama has reportedly sparked tension with Falling In Reverse’s Ronnie Radke, who appears to have taken issue with Winter’s approach—though full details on that emerging feud remain unclear.

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