Over the past decade, Kid Rock has gone all-in on Donald Trump.
What began in early 2016 as the country-rocker simply “digging” the then-presidential candidate and his approach to politics has since turned into Kid Rock becoming a full-blown MAGA mouthpiece. He’s maneuvered himself into securing Republican-affiliated music gigs, sitting next to Trump at football games and UFC matches, and receiving invitations to the White House.
Most recently, Kid Rock, born Bob Ritchie, said he believed he was shown a token of the administration’s appreciation when two military helicopters performed a fly-by of his Nashville home. “It was a level of respect that I got that no award or record sales could ever do,” Ritchie told Nashville news station WKRN on Monday.
From headlining Turning Point USA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show to golfing with Trump in 2019, here’s a list of some of Ritchie’s biggest MAGA moments.
Personalized Apache Helicopter Visit
Over the weekend, Ritchie’s longtime adulation for Trump was seemingly rewarded with a personal visit from Army helicopters circling his Nashville mansion, which is modeled after the White House.
Bragging on social media, the singer uploaded a video of himself fist-pumping the Apache helicopters as one hovered just yards away from the deck of his pool. “This is a level of respect that shit-for-brains governor of California will never know,” he wrote on Instagram, taking a swipe at Gavin Newsom. “God bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.”
The incident led the Army to suspend the aircrew flying the helicopters. Earlier, Ritchie maintained that he believed they had done nothing wrong. “I think they’re going to be alright — my buddy is the Commander-in-Chief,” he told WKRN.
Kid Rock Began “Digging” Trump in 2016
It seems Ritchie’s love affair with Trump and the MAGA movement began before Trump’s first term, saying that out of all the 2016 presidential candidates — Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders, and Marco Rubio — he was “digging” Trump the most.
The singer reasoned that Trump’s business background gave him an edge over traditional Republican and Democratic politicians. Plus, Ritchie found Trump’s antics amusing. “My feeling: let the motherfucking business guy run it like a fucking business,” Ritchie told Rolling Stone in February 2016. “And his campaign has been entertaining as shit.”
Booked and Busy as MAGA’s Go-To Artist
While other artists have publicly distanced themselves from Trump and his administration — demanding that their songs be removed from the White House’s trolling social media posts — Ritchie has secured some unlikely gigs as one of the few artists who have embraced MAGA.
In February, Turning Point USA tapped Ritchie as the headline act for its “All-American Halftime Show,” the organization’s counter-programming to the Super Bowl’s halftime show featuring Bad Bunny. (Ritchie’s performance was panned, forcing the singer to defend himself from lip-syncing accusations.)
Ahead of Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, Ritchie performed at Trump’s victory rally wearing a Make America Great Again hat. The year earlier, at the Republican National Convention, Ritchie acted like a WWE presenter as he riled up the crowd before Trump delivered the conference’s closing speech.
“What up, America?” Ritchie bellowed into the microphone. “If you’re ready for President Trump to take the stage, I need everybody to stand up. I need everybody to put a fist up in the air! Now follow me, say, ‘Fight, fight’!”
Oval Office Visits, UFC Fights, and Golfing with “Bestie” Trump
Beyond speaking in glowing terms about Trump — referring to the President of the United States as “one of my besties” and “my buddy” — Ritchie’s friendship with Trump isn’t just lip service; he has spent ample time in person with the President.
In 2019, Ritchie was pictured playing golf alongside Trump at the billionaire’s club in West Palm Beach. “Thank you to POTUS for having me and to EVERYONE at Trump International for being so wonderful,” he posted on Instagram. “What a great man, so down to earth and so fun to be with!! KEEP AMERICA GREAT!!”
While Trump was on the presidential campaign trail in 2024, Ritchie accompanied the businessman-turned-politician to a college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs. Shortly after Trump won the 2024 election, Ritchie and Elon Musk were pictured ringside next to Trump at a UFC event at Madison Square Garden. And the onetime rapper puffed on a cigar and drank beers while attending Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
Ritchie has even swung by the White House, including last March when he stood by Trump’s side wearing a ridiculous-looking bedazzled suit as Trump signed an executive order aimed at curtailing ticket scalpers on the resale market.
“No matter what your politics are, [everyone] knows it’s a conundrum,” Ritchie said when Trump gave him the floor to speak. “You buy a ticket for $100, by the time you check out it’s $170… But more importantly, these bots — they come in and get all the good tickets to your favorite shows you want to go to. Then they’re re-listed immediately for sometimes a 500 percent markup. The artists don’t see any of that money.”
Trump’s Concert Message to Kid Rock Fans
Ritchie was still a loyal supporter of Trump come 2022 — two years after Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden — so much so that he kicked off a concert that April with a video message from the then-former president.
“Hello, everyone. I love you all,” Trump told the crowd in the pre-recorded video. “I know you’re having a great time at the Kid Rock concert tonight. Quite frankly, he’s amazing. All of you in attendance are truly the backbone of our great country. Hard-working, God-fearing rock-and-roll patriots. Bob is truly one of the greatest entertainers of our time. Not the best golfer by any means, his golf game could use a little work, but a great, great entertainer, and that’s why you’re there. Let’s all continue to love one another, fight for our God-given freedoms, and most of all, let’s make America rock again.”
