Pete Hegseth confirms he took Kid Rock on two Apache helicopter rides with U.S. Army pilots while the country was still processing the WHCA shooting

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that he took Kid Rock on two Apache helicopter rides with U.S. Army pilots. The news comes while the country is still dealing with the aftermath of the recent White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) shooting.

Hegseth posted photos on X of himself and Kid Rock standing in front of an Apache helicopter. According to CNN, the caption read: “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.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the helicopters were operating in support of a Freedom 250th community relations event. He said Kid Rock “participated in multiple troop touches with service members and filmed videos for Memorial Day, America’s 250th birthday, and for his Freedom 250 tour,” and that the visit gave Kid Rock a chance to thank service members and recognize their sacrifice.

Hegseth’s response to the earlier Nashville flyover investigation shows his strong backing of Kid Rock

This is not the first time Kid Rock has been connected to a military controversy. Last month, the Army launched an investigation and suspended the pilots who flew two Apache helicopters over Kid Rock’s home in Nashville. Hegseth quickly shut down the investigation and lifted the suspensions, writing on social media: “No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”

That incident raised questions about whether safety protocols and airspace requirements had been broken. The Army launched an administrative review, a first step to decide whether a full investigation was needed. Army aviators are required to follow strict safety standards and established flight regulations, and that review is still ongoing.

The helicopter rides also come at a tense time for the White House, as Trump has faced heavy scrutiny over his public statements, including how Trump reacted to the WHCA shooter’s manifesto during a live interview. According to ABC News, Kid Rock responded to the earlier controversy by saying, “I think it will be alright, my buddy’s the commander in chief.”

He also said he had met members of the unit when he visited Fort Campbell with Vice President JD Vance at Thanksgiving, and that helicopters regularly fly over his home on their way to Nissan Stadium in Nashville for football games. Critics have pointed out that Hegseth’s decision to shut down the original Nashville flyover investigation, without letting the review run its course, raises serious concerns about accountability within the military.

Some argue that allowing celebrities to influence military operations, even indirectly, sets a troubling precedent. Others question whether the same outcome would have occurred if the pilots involved were not connected to a high-profile political ally. These concerns have not gone away with the latest Apache rides, but have instead grown louder.

In a separate incident, two Army helicopters were also spotted flying low and hovering near Kid Rock’s home during a No Kings protest in Nashville on a Saturday. A statement from the 101st said the helicopters were on a training mission near Nashville and that the timing was coincidental. Around the same time, the White House was also navigating Trump’s shifting position on Iran peace negotiations, adding to an already busy news cycle.

Kid Rock has become one of former President Trump’s most visible celebrity supporters, regularly appearing at campaign events. His growing ties to the military, along with Hegseth’s repeated backing of him, have drawn criticism from people who question whether proper rules and procedures are being followed.