The U.S. Army suspended the aircrew responsible for flying a pair of military helicopters near Kid Rock’s home after the rock-rap star shared videos of the aircraft appearing to hover very close to his Tennessee residence over the weekend. Then Secretary of War Pete Hegseth unsuspended the crew and said there would be no consequences for them. Wrote Hegseth in a tweet on Tuesday night:
Thank you @KidRock.
@USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED.
No punishment. No investigation.
Carry on, patriots.
On Saturday, Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, shared a video that showed an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter hovering in place low across from the pool of his Tennessee home. In the clip, Ritchie can be seen standing on his patio at what almost appears to be eye level with the pilots, applauding and twice saluting them before the helicopter flies off.
In a subsequent video, a second helicopter can be seen flying past the residence:
WTVF, a local CBS affiliate in Nashville, reports that two helicopters were also spotted flying over the city’s scheduled “No Kings” protest that day, in addition to the apparent flight by Ritchie’s residence. A spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division, based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, told the outlet that an investigation was ongoing into the aircraft’s actions Saturday.
“Fort Campbell leadership is aware of a video circulating on social media depicting AH-64 Apache helicopters operating in the vicinity of a private residence associated with Mr. Robert Ritchie (also known as ‘Kid Rock’),” public-affairs officer Major Jonathon Bless said in a statement. “The command has initiated an investigation to review the circumstances surrounding this activity.”
Bless continued, “The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell maintain strict standards for aviation safety, professionalism, and adherence to established flight regulations. We take all concerns regarding aircraft operations and their impact on the surrounding community seriously.”
On Tuesday, NBC News reported that the aircrew involved had been suspended, citing a U.S. official.
President Trump also offered some comments about the incident on Tuesday evening after he was asked about it by a White House reporter. He said he hadn’t seen the video, “but I’m sure they had a good time.” Trump acknowledged that the crew “probably shouldn’t have been doing it” since “you’re not supposed to be playing games, right?”
He added that he’ll “take a look at it”:
They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him, I don’t know.
Soon after that, Hegseth absolved them. It’s not clear if this means that it’s now official Pentagon policy that servicemembers can do whatever they want, so long as it involves promotable moments with MAGA personalities.
Ritchie lives just outside of Nashville in a reported 27,000-square-foot replica of the White House. In the video he shared, Ritchie is seen standing next to a model of the Statue of Liberty while a large sign reading “The Southern White House” can be seen hanging above the large patio. The musical artist and full-throated supporter of President Trump posted the clip on both X and Instagram as an apparent knock on Governor Gavin Newsom, a California Democrat is who is heavily expected to make a run at the presidency in 2028.
“This is a level of respect that s*** for brains Governor of California will never know. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her,” he wrote, adding American-flag and praying-hands emoji.
Newsom’s press office, which has leaned into imitating Trump’s brash style of online communication, has frequently mocked Ritchie, including his plans to counterprogram the Super Bowl halftime show in February, which was being helmed by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny. Last month, the office’s official account posted that Newsom would be “OFFICIALLY BANNING ‘KID ROCK’ FROM CALIFORNIA,” adding that the state “ONLY ALLOWS WINNERS!”
This post has been updated.
