U.S. Army officials have confirmed they briefly suspended two helicopter pilots who flew past Kid Rock’s home on the weekend.
Taking to social media on Saturday, the singer-songwriter – real name Robert Ritchie – posted a short video that appeared to show two Apache helicopters hovering very close to the swimming pool on his property in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the footage, Rock is seen clapping and saluting one of the helicopters. The All Summer Long hitmaker has been a longtime supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump.
On Monday, a U.S. Army spokesperson, Major Montrell Russell, confirmed leaders were investigating the footage, and the following day, he announced that the “personnel involved have been suspended from flight duties while the Army reviews the circumstances surrounding the mission”.
The pilots were from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell.
Local news outlets also reported that the helicopters flew close to a No Kings protest held in the city the same day. The demonstration was organised to protest the policies of the Trump administration, including the conflict with Iran.
“The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable,” he added.
Yet, a short time later, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced that the pilots’ suspension had been lifted. He also reposted Rock’s original video to his X account.
“Thank you @KidRock,” he wrote. “@USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”
Representatives for the White House have not yet publicly commented on the footage.
Military personnel are required to be politically neutral and support and defend the U.S. Constitution.
