Hegseth reverses Army’s suspension of aircrew who flew helicopters near Kid Rock’s home
Hegseth reverses Army’s suspension of aircrew who flew helicopters near Kid Rock’s home
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the Army would not impose penalties or initiate an inquiry after two military helicopters flew near Kid Rock’s Tennessee residence over the weekend. The decision came after the Air Force had temporarily suspended the crew involved in Saturday’s incident, according to a U.S. official. Hegseth clarified Tuesday evening that the suspension had been lifted, stating,
“No punishment or investigation. Carry on, patriots.”
Maj. Montrell Russell, an Army spokesperson, mentioned that the personnel had been paused from flight duties to assess the mission’s circumstances. This included checking adherence to FAA rules, aviation safety measures, and necessary approvals. “The Army treats any claims of unauthorized or unsafe flights with utmost seriousness,” Russell noted, adding that findings would be shared once the review is complete.
On Saturday, Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, shared a video on X showing him standing in his backyard as a helicopter hovered nearby. The footage also captured another aircraft flying close by. The post included a patriotic message, declaring,
“God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.”
It also featured strong language directed at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, with the video garnering over 10 million views.
President Donald Trump, when asked about the suspensions during an executive order signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon, expressed mild concern. “I didn’t see it, but I’m certain they enjoyed themselves,” he said, suggesting the crew might have been playing games. “They probably shouldn’t have been doing it. You’re not supposed to be playing games, right?” Trump added, noting his personal connection to Kid Rock.
The Army confirmed the aircraft were AH-64 Apache helicopters operating in the Nashville region. A military spokesperson revealed the helicopters had traveled from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to the area. The 101st Airborne Division’s representative clarified that the flights were unrelated to Nashville’s “No Kings” protests and were “entirely coincidental.”
Kid Rock, who gained prominence in the 1990s and early 2000s with hits like “Picture” and “All Summer Long,” has recently returned to public attention as a vocal Trump supporter. In 2024, he performed at the Republican National Convention and participated in the Oval Office for an executive order on curbing ticket scalping. His latest appearance was at an alternative Super Bowl halftime show, hosted by Turning Point USA, which contrasted with Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language performance that faced criticism from conservative groups.
