It means a very large percentage of America is ignorant about rodeos and rodeo clowns in general.
I’ve worked at one of the top 3 world rodeos for 30 years. Politics and politicians have always been the butt of rural humor. Most especially if they seem citified or dandified.
Has no one ever heard of Will Rogers?
I think it would come as news to some folks how important clowns are to rodeos. They save lives at great risk to their own.