Ronnie Winter of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has never been shy about channeling strong emotions into his music. But his latest message didn’t come from the stage or the studio. It came straight from an Instagram video where he looked directly into the camera and told a portion of his fanbase they were no longer welcome.
“If you voted for Donald Trump, do not come to my shows. Ever. Not just these four years—forever.”
Ronnie winter (RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS)
The clip spread fast across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, sparking immediate debate. Some fans applauded Winter for taking a stand. Others accused him of alienating half his audience. Within hours, the band’s comment section had been disabled. But by then, the video had already been clipped and shared across platforms, with captions ranging from praise to outrage.
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Ronnie Winter Draws a Line in the Dirt
The video itself was simple. No theatrics, no effects, just Winter sitting alone and speaking with calm intensity. His tone left no room for interpretation. This wasn’t an invitation to debate, but a declaration.
He went even further, calling out Christian fans who had supported Trump.
“If you’re Christian and you voted for Donald Trump, shame on you. You are not allowed to come to my shows.”
For longtime Red Jumpsuit Apparatus fans, who first connected with the band through lyrics about trauma & abuse. The message landed differently depending on their personal politics.
For some, it was an extension of Winter’s long-running commitment to authenticity. For others, it was a dividing line they never expected from a band once synonymous with mid-2000s emo radio. (
(We at The Rocktone certainly did not see this coming)
Rockstar Responses: Support Nowhere in Sight
If Winter anticipated support from peers in the rock scene, the response was anything but unifying. RockFeed’s Instagram post about the video became a gathering place for commentary, and several high-profile musicians chimed in.
Adam Gontier, co-founder of Three Days Grace and current frontman of Saint Asonia, took aim at Winter’s relevance rather than his politics. Matt Walst, who replaced Gontier in Three Days Grace, opted for a more inclusive approach, posting:
“Lol. Doesn’t matter who voted for who. All are welcome at our shows. Always.”
Shinedown, one of modern rock’s biggest touring acts, responded with nothing but a string of laughter:
“Lolllololololololol.”
Trapt, a band that has leaned heavily into political commentary in recent years, added a dismissive note of their own. Even Ronnie Radke of Falling in Reverse, no stranger to controversy himself… weighed in, though his remarks were more personal than political.
In a rare moment of unity across a fractured rock landscape, artists from arena headliners to meme-punchlines seemed to converge on one reaction: sarcasm, dismissal, or silence.
Politics in Post-Hardcore
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus broke through in 2006 with “Face Down” a song about domestic abuse that resonated with millions and earned heavy rotation on rock radio. For years, the band has balanced emotionally raw lyrics with Christian rock circuit visibility, gaining fans from multiple subcultures. Winter’s message now places that dual identity under pressure.
On one hand, his comments reflect the same kind of blunt honesty that powered songs like “Face Down” and “Your Guardian Angel.” He has never been afraid to call out hypocrisy or speak directly to issues he cares about. In that sense, telling Trump supporters to stay home is consistent with his persona.
On the other hand, his statement risks alienating a sizable portion of the band’s base — a base that, judging by the backlash, may not be willing to separate politics from music. And with fellow musicians offering little solidarity, Winter finds himself isolated in a controversy that could follow the band well beyond this news cycle.
What It Means for The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
For a band often remembered as part of the 2000s emo and post-hardcore wave, this viral moment thrusts them back into the broader conversation. Whether that exposure helps or hurts depends on how fans and the industry respond in the coming months.
If the band’s upcoming shows see protests or boycotts, the fallout could overshadow their music. But if the controversy reignites interest in their catalog and draws curious listeners, it could spark an unexpected revival. Either way, Winter has ensured his voice — and his position — cannot be ignored.
Separate The Music From The Artist
Ronnie Winter planted his boots firmly in the dirt, and the rock world noticed. His rejection of Trump supporters wasn’t softened with metaphors or industry-safe phrasing. It was blunt, defiant, and unapologetic.
The backlash has been swift, and the support from fellow musicians nearly nonexistent. Whether this moment becomes a footnote or a turning point for The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is unclear. But one thing is certain: when the tour dates arrive, all eyes will be on the stage and the crowd that shows up.
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SOURCES CITED
- RockFeed Instagram Post – Public comments and reactions to Ronnie Winter’s viral video. https://www.instagram.com/rockfeednet
- Ronnie Winter Instagram Video (Original Statement) – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus official account. https://www.instagram.com/redjumpsuitapparatus
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