Additional Coverage:
- Newsom slams Kid Rock for ‘using taxpayer money to travel on $100m helicopter with Pete Hegseth’ (themirror.com)
California Governor Gavin Newsom weighed in Monday on reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took conservative musician Kid Rock on a helicopter ride aboard two Apache helicopters. According to journalist Ryan Grim, who cited Army sources, Hegseth flew on his private jet to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, before joining Kid Rock for the flight. Typically piloted by two crew members, the helicopters reportedly flew with just one pilot so that both Hegseth and Kid Rock could “ride shotgun,” with flight data reportedly backing up these claims.
Newsom, known for his criticism of former President Donald Trump and his administration, questioned the use of taxpayer funds for the trip. Responding to Grim’s social media post, Newsom asked, “Why are taxpayers paying to fly Kid Rock around on $100 million helicopters?”
Grim also noted that Apache helicopters are not normally stationed at Fort Belvoir, leaving questions about their origin. This incident follows a previous event where two AH-64 Apache helicopters hovered over Kid Rock’s swimming pool in Nashville. At the time, Hegseth canceled the suspension of the helicopter crews involved, stating on social media that there would be “no punishment” or investigation.
The Army confirmed that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight near Nashville that drew public and media attention. A statement said the Army is reviewing the circumstances of the mission to ensure compliance with FAA regulations, aviation safety protocols, and approval requirements.
Kid Rock shared videos of the helicopters flying over his pool on social media, including one with a caption critical of Governor Newsom: “This is a level of respect that s–t for brains Governor of California will never know. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.”
A known supporter of President Trump, Kid Rock told WKRN-TV that helicopter flights from nearby Fort Campbell near his property are common. He emphasized his support for the military, noting past performances for troops overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other locations.
After the episode, Trump commented from the Oval Office that the helicopter crews perhaps should not have flown over Kid Rock’s pool but added, “I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him.
I don’t know.” Kid Rock expressed confidence that the crews would not face consequences, joking, “My buddy’s the commander-in-chief.”
As of Monday evening, there were no official statements from the White House, the Defense Department, or Kid Rock’s representatives regarding the helicopter flights.