Sec. Of War Pete Hegseth Reveals Kid Rock Had An Official Visit With Apache Helicopter Pilots
on Apr 28, 2026
The Meeting Between Kid Rock And The Pilots Comes 1 Month After Controversial Helicopter Flyby Video
One month ago today, on March 28, a scandal of sorts formed around Kid Rock after he posted a video of himself saluting two Apache helicopters as they did a flyby of his mansion in Nashville, Tennessee.
An investigation was underway, and pilots were suspended from service…
Now, on Tuesday, April 28, Sec. of War Pete Hegseth has shared photos of Kid Rock on an official visit with the U.S. Army and its Apache helicopter pilots.
“Joined my friend [Kid Rock] — and some of our great [U.S. Army] Apache pilots — for a ride this morning,” said Sec. Hegseth, promising there would be “more to come on that.”
In the photos, Kid Rock can be seen in the Pentagon Press Briefing Room, where he appears to be addressing the troops and other Department of War officials.
Sec. Hegseth added, “Kid Rock is a patriot and huge supporter of our troops. The War Department is wasting no time celebrating America’s 250th — home of the free because of the brave.”
See the images, here:
Joined my friend @KidRock — and some of our great @USArmy Apache pilots — for a ride this morning. (More to come on that!)
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) April 28, 2026
Kid Rock is a patriot and huge supporter of our troops. The War Department is wasting no time celebrating America’s 250th — home of the free because of the… pic.twitter.com/7EyhlaCeUj
Kid Rock Has Now Been Involved With Two Departments Of The Trump Administration
What a difference a month makes.
Back on March 28, Kid Rock’s video had some legislators outraged by the perceived wastefulness of the helicopter flyby, regarding taxpayer dollars; while also looking also to its potentially preferential treatment of the artist.
Shortly after this video was shared, questions began arising regarding how this flyby was coordinated.
By March 30, the Army had announced it had suspended the aircrew involved in the flyby of Kid Rock’s property, and had opened an investigation, with Maj. Jonathon Bless, spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division, saying in a statement to The Hill, “Army aviators must adhere to strict safety standards, professionalism and established flight regulations. An administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements.”
Concluding his remarks on the Kid Rock video, Maj. Bless noted, “Appropriate action will be taken if any violations are found.”
Responding to this at the time, Kid Rock told local news station WKRN, “I think they’re gonna be alright. My buddy’s the commander-in-chief.”
By the end of the next day, Sec. of War Pete Hegseth had reversed course entirely, posting:
Thank you @KidRock.@USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 31, 2026
No punishment. No investigation.
Carry on, patriots. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/Zqhv1Zx1iG
For Kid Rock, this visit with the Department of War is his second high-profile happening with a government department in the Trump administration.
On Feb. 17, HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a zany video of himself working out at Kid Rock’s mansion, dubbed The Southern White House. This video encouraged Americans to “get healthy” and “eat real food.”
