kid rock
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rnc w hulk hogan and other hasbeens?
SEE SUPERBOWL SHOW
pirate cello, see jon stew; quick const cange vame back as coy singer ritchie? sp dad rich Mich car dealer?
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MMA
On Fox & Friends, Kid Rock compares Abdul El-Sayed to the Fort Hood shooter and the 9/11 hijackers
10/16/26
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RWW -->
Freedom Fest in Kentucky—headlined by MAGA artist Kid Rock—has been canceled after barely selling any VIP tickets.
The host blamed the cancellation on a lack of enthusiasm from his wealthiest friends, noting that he was only able to sell six VIP tickets (at $1,000 each).
“I am never ever, ever, ever, ever doing this event again,” former Kentucky GOP gubernatorial candidate and event host Eric Deters, who throws the event on his farm, said on Facebook Monday. “When I put together Patriot State Freedom Fest, I put it together with the game plan and the idea that I could pay for it with the VIP sales of $1,000 from these hundred people that I interact with on a regular basis that have money.”
The Freedom Fest began in 2022 and has drawn large crowds in the past, while featuring speakers like Donald Trump Jr., Candace Owens, and Eric Trump. But this year saw a massive drop in VIP ticket sales and general interest, possibly due to Trump’s horrendous approval rating, rising costs tied to the Iran war, or an oversaturation of MAGA events (like that barely watched Republican midterm convention). Either way, Deters is pissed, lashing out at people whom he apparently expected to attend.
“Out of all these people that have money that I interact with, who I do favors for all day long. They ask me for something, I never say no. I never said no to these people,” he said. “None of these people will ever, ever, ever get a favor from me again, ever. Not only will they never get a favor from me again, they do not have Bulldog immunity.” He also lashed out at the media for not adequately covering the event.
This was the last straw for Deters, who has said he’s done throwing the Freedom Fest from now on.
“I’m never gonna do this event. Somebody else can do such an event,” he said. “I’m sorry for all the people that were gonna attend. But I can tell you right now, I feel
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AN 3 26
On Saturday, March 28, rap-rocker Kid Rock posted, on X and Instagram, a video of an Apache helicopter flying by his home in Nashville.
Rock, taking a swipe at Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, wrote, "This is a level of respect that s–– for brains Governor of California will never know. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her."
Two days later, on March 30, Reuters' Idrees Ali tweeted, "A U.S. official confirmed that this indeed did happen and the Army is investigating how this happened."
According to Yahoo Entertainment's Namrata Ghosh, Rock is facing a "backlash" because of the video.
Ghosh reports, "The clip, which captured a private military flyby, has sparked debate online…. Kid Rock recently posted a video of an apparent private military flyby at his Nashville residence. The clip shows the country music star standing beside a replica of the Statue of Liberty as he waves at an Apache helicopter that hovers near his swimming pool."
A social media user, in response to the video, posted, "I'm so glad that our tax dollars are paying for Kid Rock to have a military fly by."
Another social media user wrote, "Who wasted thousands of dollars in fuel, maintenance, and wages to go hover by his pool?"
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an context
no lnx
New allegations against Bad Bunny are just a decoy
Super Bowl LX - Half-Time Show - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks - Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California, United States - February 8, 2026 Bad Bunny performs during the halftime show REUTERS/Mike Blake
:{John StoehrFebruary 12, 2026
At this point, you have probably heard enough about the effect of Bad Bunny’s Superbowl halftime show on the president and his coalition. While there are plenty of details to debate, including the ludicrous allegation that the Grammy-winner’s performance was “pure smut,” I think it’s important to keep your eyes fixed on what’s really at stake.
Rightwingers don’t mind “indecent acts,” as their protection of “the Epstein class” should attest. What they mind is a global superstar, whose originates from Puerto Rico and whose native language is Spanish, making affirmative claims about who belongs in America.
Bad Bunny’s halftime show was an extension of remarks he made two weekends ago after winning six Grammys. “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said. “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
His argument in favor of kindness and common cause, and in defense of diversity and inclusion, was later immortalized on words written on a football – “Together, we are America” – and it lay beneath a spectacle seen by 135 million, according to the Daily News.
The strength of Bad Bunny’s argument was enhanced by the impotence of its counterpart. The Turning Point USA, the hate group founded by the late Charlie Kirk, organized an alternate musical event. Emceed by Kid Rock, the show’s message was, more or less, America is for “us,” not “them.” And, according to the Daily News, just 6 million people watched it.
That’s their beef.
Donald Trump and his rightwing allies will not believe their vision of America – essentially, a racially exclusive club – is unpopular. And when I say “will not believe,” I am strictly speaking.
They will never accept that America has fallen in love with a man who was born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, who was bagging groceries a decade ago before rising to Spotify’s top global artist, who welcomes everyone and whose life embodies the American Dream.
So they smear him, accusing him of involvement in a criminal conspiracy to somehow force Americans into loving him against their will. That’s the thinking behind a new complaint by US Congressman Andy Ogles. The Tennessee Republican described the Superbowl halftime show as "pure smut" featuring "explicit displays of gay sexual acts, women gyrating provocatively, and Bad Bunny shamelessly grabbing his crotch while dry-humping the air."
Ogles continued, saying Bad Bunny "openly glorified sodomy and countless other unspeakable depravities." Ogles said "these flagrant, indecent acts" break federal law regulating television airwaves. He called for an investigation in a letter to the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees broadcast regulations.
But such allegations are decoys. Rightwingers do not care about “family values.” If they did, they would not tolerate the incarceration of babies. (The youngest person in the Dilley Detention Center in Texas is 2 months old, according to Univision.) Rightwingers do not care about higher-order things, only whether they can be used to accomplish their goals.
In this case, the goal is discrediting a global superstar who is popularizing a new and dangerous idea of belonging in America. You don’t need to pass a test. You don’t have to know the rules. You don’t even need the correct paperwork. If you’re here, you’re American.
Because “together, we are America.”
“Together, we are America” is new, as it casts immigration in the context of brotherhood, so the burden of government is finding ways of turning a fact of life into a fact of law.
It is dangerous, as it upends a decade of rightwing effort to move public understanding of immigration away from a matter of freedom and opportunity to a matter of crime and punishment. The burden is now entirely on individuals. They’re presumed guilty until proven innocent. “Together, we are America” has the potential of turning that around.
Bad Bunny’s ethic of belonging is dangerous for another reason. It comes as the logical conclusion to ten years of fear-mongering and hate speech is coming into view: families ripped apart, communities shredded, citizens murdered and concentration camps opening.
Even respectable white people, or “independent voters,” are recoiling (mostly because they are shocked to learn that an “immigration crackdown” includes them). Thanks to the horrors the country has witnessed over the last month, they are now open to alternatives, especially alternatives being advanced by the most popular performing artist on the planet.
Right now, the focus is on ICE and its crimes. That, however, is like the allegation that Bad Bunny’s show was “pure smut” – it limits politics to terms favorable to Trump. “Abolish ICE” should be part of a bigger picture so the meaning of belonging is radically redefined.
Immigrants are Americans. They might not speak the language. They might not know the rules. They might not have the right papers. But they are here. That makes them American.
The question is not if they are, but when it becomes official.
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Trump’s daughter-in-law offers herself up as a headliner for MAGA halftime show - Alternet.org
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Lee Brice Announces New Single “Country Nowadays,” Which He Performed During Turning Point USA Super Bowl Halftime, Dropping This Month
Aaron Ryan·February 8, 2026
Lee Brice
Looks like Kid Rock isn’t the only one dropping a new song after the Super Bowl halftime show(s).
Video Playlist
Lee Brice announced tonight that he’ll be releasing his new single, “Country Nowadays,” on February 19, after debuting the patriotic anthem during the Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show.
Brice first teased the song during an interview with Breitbart News ahead of the performance, announcing that the song would be available on his still yet-to-be-announced upcoming 30-song album.
The politically-charged anthem finds Brice lamenting the state of the country these days:
*“It ain’t easy being country in this country nowadays
*The direction of fingers point when it all goes up in flames
*Saying I’m some right wing devil because I was downside red letter raised
*It ain’t easy being country in this country nowadays”
In introducing the song during the halftime show, Brice praised TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk for giving people a voice to speak out about their beliefs:
“Charlie, he gave people microphones so they could say what was on their minds. This is what was on mine.”*
One verse (and line) in particular really seemed to resonate on social media:
*“I just want to cut my grass, feed my dog, wear my boots
*Not turn the TV on, sit and watch the evening news
*Be told if I tell my own daughter
*That little boys ain’t little girls [got cheer?]
*I’ll be up a creek in hot water
*In this cancel-your-a** world”
Immediately after the performance I began getting messages from people wanting to know where they could find the song, and it wasn’t long before Lee himself gave us our answer.
The song is available for pre-save now on streaming platforms, and according to Spotify will be dropping everywhere on February 19.
Lee’s announcement comes as Kid Rock also gears up to drop a song that he performed during the halftime show.
After opening with his own rockin’ song “Bawitaba,” Kid Rock (whose real name is Robert Ritchie) slowed things down with his own spin on Cody Johnson’s #1 single “Til You Can’t,” even adding his own verse that he wrote after the death of Charlie Kirk:
“There’s a book that is sitting in your house somewhere
That could use some dusting off
There’s a man that died for all our sins, hanging on the cross
You can give your life to Jesus, and he’ll give you a second chance
‘Til you can’t”
Kid introduced the new lyrics by saying that he woke up one morning and felt called to add one more verse:
“I awoke one Sunday morning all alone with this song stuck in my head, and in that moment, something or someone spoke to me. They said there was still a verse that needed to be written for this song. And to get up and write it down.”*
It’s a version of the song that Kid Rock first performed back in November while filling in for CoJo during the Hondo Rodeo Fest. And ahead of the halftime show, Kid even recorded his version of “Til You Can’t” to drop as a single tonight at midnight.
I have a feeling both of these songs are going to be pretty popular.
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an 2 26
MAGA loses the culture war — and Trump loses the plot
//
On Sunday, February 8, Kid Rock headlined Turning Point USA's All-American Super Bowl Halftime Show — a MAGA alternative to the actual 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, which featured Puerto Rican reggaetón star Bad Bunny. MAGA Republicans were furious because Bunny, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, performed en español at the event. But Bunny attracted a lot more viewers: CBS News reported that 135 million people watched Bad Bunny, while the El Paso Times reported that that 6.1 million people watched Turning Point's event.
In other words, Bad Bunny attracted roughly 22 times as many viewers.
In a biting article published on February 9, Salon's Amanda Marcotte describes Kid Rock's Turning Point USA show as a sad example of MAGA's "bid for cultural relevance."
"Perhaps it's a sign that I am an empathy-poisoned liberal," Marcotte argues, "but it was hard to choke back the pity watching the alternative halftime show aired by Turning Point USA during Sunday's Super Bowl game. Despite having months to book and organize an event that was supposed to draw millions away from the real deal, TPUSA couldn't even pack the small space for audience members on the soundstage — not a stadium, arena, theater or even a club — they rented for the occasion. The promise of seeing the washed-up Kid Rock in an intimate setting appears to thrill no one."
Marcotte continues, "Organizers declared that huge numbers of Americans would prefer this to the actual halftime show, but the anemic audience present for the taping suggested they couldn't get anyone who isn't a paid TPUSA staff member…. Unfortunately for them, the live chat on YouTube suggested the fans weren't tuning in for the music, but out of a sense of duty to their MAGA tribe. Commenters referenced Jesus, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, the American flag and hating Bad Bunny — but no one seemed to have much to say about the music or the performances."
The Salon journalist argues that while Rock's TPUSA performance was "boring," Bunny's "electric performance" was "sheer joy — a celebration of Latino culture and American values."
"TPUSA's night was doomed from the get-go," Marcotte writes. "Beyond snagging Kid Rock as a last-minute salvation, the show had no marketing aside from 'Watch this to trigger the liberals'…. In the end, Kid Rock wasn't really the star of the 'All-American Halftime Show.' No, it was the ghost of Charlie Kirk…. No doubt it was good at getting their aging audience to open up their wallets, after asking their grandkids how to use the 'superchat' donate function on YouTube. But as a bid for cultural relevance — well, let's just say Bad Bunny has nothing to worry about."
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RWW
02/06/2026
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When the National Football League announced last fall that global superstar Bad Bunny would be the musical headliner for this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, MAGA was MAD.
Some didn’t realize that Bad Bunny, like other Puerto Ricans, is an American citizen. Some didn’t like that he sings in Spanish. Some may have been mad that he isn’t white. And some were clearly upset because Bad Bunny is not a fan of President Donald Trump.
With MAGA activists seeing red, right-wing organizing group Turning Point USA saw an opportunity. TPUSA announced that it would host a competing “all-American” half-time show. It posted a poll asking what people wanted to hear, which included the options “Anything in English” and “worship music.”
When the group finally announced its lineup, headed by MAGA musician Kid Rock, TPUSA promised “a pure celebration of faith, family and freedom.”
It seems that for MAGA-minded Christian nationalists like the people running TPUSA, being in favor of faith, family, and freedom, really just means being pro-Trump.
Kid Rock is not exactly someone whose body of work could be called pure or pro-family. His music relies heavily on profanity, and as some people have pointed out, his song “Cool, Daddy Cool” includes, “Young ladies, young ladies, I like ‘em underage, see. Some say that’s statutory (But I say it’s mandatory).” Those lines appeared in the soundtrack of a kids’ movie, “Osmosis Jones.”
Nice timing with the sickening revelations in the Epstein files that the Trump regime was forced to release.
“We the People,” one of Kid Rock’s MAGA anthems, starts with the memorable line, “We the people, in all we do, reserve the right to scream ‘FUCK YOU’ – something Kid Rock does throughout the song at familiar MAGA targets like the mainstream media.
In a song about turning 50, he sings, “I might be fucking 50, but I still don’t give one fuck…I might be fucking 50, but this dick’s still long and lean.” In another song he sings about putting his balls in people’s mouths.
In 2019, he dismissed Taylor Smith with a tweet suggesting that she would “suck the doorknob off Hollyweird” to get into movies.
So we’re not sure that parents who are worried about their children being corrupted by Bad Bunny are going to appreciate TPUSA turning their kids on to Kid Rock.
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Phoenix New Times Music Editor Amy Young says far-right Turning Point USA was “groping” for artists to fill its so-called “All-American” halftime show, designed to counter the “darker-skinned” Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday.
“Announcing a big ol’ cynical show is one thing. It’s a very different task, however, to find artists who want to be the face of such a stunt,” said Young, adding that the organization finally settled on “Detroit’s claim of shame, Robert Ritchie, better known as Kid Rock.”
“No one is particularly shocked to see Confederate-flag-waving Kid Rock lead this charge,” said Young. “Opening for the rapper-turned-country-rocker that night will be another country artist, Brantley Gilbert, and then another country artist, Gabby Barrett, and, wait, we’re seeing a theme, right? Next up … um, country artist, Lee Brice.”
“… [I]f you find yourself asking ‘who?’ a couple of times, you might be residing at Camp You’re Not Alone, where TVs will be blaring the sets by actually popular, equally American musical acts Green Day and Bad Bunny,” Young added.
Young pointed out that TPUSA didn’t care when the National Football League hosted a legion of foreigners including British quartet Coldplay, Barbados citizen Rihanna, Canadian sensation The Weeknd, or Ireland’s U2. But when the it announced the appearance of Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, a.k.a. Bad Bunny, the MAGA’s backlash was ferocious. Bad Bunny raps primarily in Spanish, which “monolingual MAGA” apparently considers “a threat to ‘mericuh,” said Young.
It doesn’t matter that the 56 million Americans who speak Spanish make the United States the world’s second-largest Spanish-speaking country after Mexico. Nor does it apparently matter that Bad Bunny is a U.S. citizen.
“The willful misunderstanding of the fact that Puerto Ricans are indeed U.S. citizens demonstrates once again that MAGA acolytes interpret history and the law about as faithfully as they interpret the New Testament,” said Young. “From jump, Turning Point USA has had its milky sheets in a twist about the choice of Bad Bunny. The slow-motion train wreck it’s running this week is reminiscent of alleged comedian Tony Hinchcliffe describing Puerto Rico as a ‘floating island of garbage’ at a Trump rally, a full-speed train wreck.”
“You may be wondering how to watch this soon-to-be-failed-attempt at a ratings grab. Well, you can probably track down that information yourself, if you’re morbidly curious,” Young said. “Usually we like to provide viewing information. In this case, we genuinely DGAF.”
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RWW
02/03/2026
by
- Isaac Schorr @ Mediaite: Mike Johnson Jumps Aboard Trump’s Rigged Elections Bandwagon: ‘Can I Prove That? No’
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) suggested that three 2024 congressional elections may have been rigged against the GOP while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
- David Moye @ HuffPost: Turning Point USA's Alternative Super Bowl Lineup Is Even Lamer Than You Thought
Turning Point USA, the right-wing political group founded by Charlie Kirk, announced the lineup on Monday for what it’s billed as an alternative Super Bowl halftime show, and people on social media aren’t exactly singing its praises.
- The Throckmorton Initiative: TPUSA's Super Bowl Halftime Show with a Side Dish of Christian Nationalism
The late Charlie Kirk’s organization Turning Point USA is planning and promoting what it calls a “conservative friendly” alternative to the NFL sponsored Super Bowl halftime show. The NFL show features Puerto Rican raggaeton artist Bad Bunny. Headling the TPUSA show is Kid Rock. If you know anything about these artists, you know that both use profanity and explicit lyrics. The key difference for people supporting the alternative show is that Bad Bunny is Puerto Rican and performs his lyrics in Spanish. This has MAGA folk in a tizzy. They want their Super Bowl white and English.
- Sophie Lawton @ Media Matters: Steve Bannon's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Weekend
As his extensive and friendly communications with Epstein were revealed, Steve Bannon's candidate lost a “vitally important” election.
- Alex Galbraith @ Salon: “Can’t understand how they think”: Bundy breaks with MAGA over ICE operations
The rancher famous for armed standoffs with the government said the left is "more correct" on immigration.
- Steve Benen @ The Maddow Blog: Trump claims he wasn’t ‘friendly’ with Epstein, despite all of the available evidence
The president’s willingness to push a line that was obviously untrue was an odd and unnecessary misstep.
- Vic Verbalaitis @ The Daily Beast: Judge Jeanine Scrambles to Backtrack After MAGA Turns on Her
Judge Jeanine is doing damage control, but it’s not going well.
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Lauren Boebert accused of violating campaign finance laws to go on date with Kid Rock
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During President Donald Trump's inauguration festivities, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) reportedly tried to build goodwill with a top member of the administration. But she apparently identified the wrong person.
The American Spectator's "Cockburn" (a pseudonymous personality named after British Admiral Sir George Cockburn) wrote Tuesday that they personally witnessed Boebert attempt for several hours to woo Trump's White House Chief of Staff. Cockburn dryly referred to the Colorado Republican as the "socialite of the weekend," saying she "spent a decent chunk of Saturday’s America First Policy Institute ball trying to ingratiate herself with Susie Wiles."
"One small problem: she wasn’t talking to Wiles, just a woman from the Midwest who looks slightly like her," Cockburn wrote. "Boebert was also spotted attempting to big-time her way into VIP with her sculpted himbo companion. On Sunday she found herself in a spirited discussion with staff in VIP at the Turning Point USA ball, as well as cutting a rug with Kid Rock."
READ MORE:**Lauren Boebert's replacement in her old district vows to be different — but not by much**
LA-based gossip publication TMZ was also there, and spotted Boebert in pro-Trump singer Kid Rock's vicinity at the event. The far-right congresswoman was described as "totally fangirling" over the singer along with her mother.
"Lauren was totally transfixed by the rock star, yapping away, doing a little dance, and clapping like she was front row at his concert -- basically giving Kid Rock all the hype he needed," the outlet
Boebert was recently elected to her first term in her new congressional district in the eastern part of the Centennial State, which was previously represented by longtime Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) until he retired in 2024. Boebert relocating from Colorado's Western Slope, where she has since been replaced by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.)
As TMZ also noted, Boebert previously made headlines in 2023 for being kicked out of a performance of the musical "Beetlejuice" after she refused to stop vaping in proximity to a pregnant woman and allegedly groping her date.
READ MORE:**Boebert's 'Beetlejuice' boot came after she refused to quit vaping near a pregnant woman: report**
Click here to read Cockburn's full write-up in the American Spectator.
12/11/2024 RWW
by
- Diana Falzone @ Mediaite: ‘Will Result in Termination’: Newsmax Bans Criticism of Pete Hegseth After Trump Fumed Over Host’s Attack
Newsmax instructed staff to lay off Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host Donald Trump nominated to serve as his secretary of defense, after a segment bashing the pick sparked the ire of Trump himself.
- Alexander C. Kaufman @ HuffPost: Trump Names Price For Avoiding All Environment Regulations: $1 Billion Or More
President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he planned to expedite federal regulatory approvals, including all environmental permits, for any company or individual proposing to invest $1 billion or more in a construction project.
- Sean Craig @ The Daily Beast: Mel Gibson Threatens ‘to Kill Someone’ While Fearmongering at Mar-a-Lago
A cavalcade of supporting characters in the MAGA universe, and President-elect Donald Trump, showed up at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday to attend a soirée for the conspiratorial, QAnon-adjacent conservative nonprofit America’s Future.
- Nikki McCann Ramírez @ Rolling Stone: Advocacy Group Calls B.S. on Nancy Mace’s Claim That She Was Assaulted in Capitol
A man has been arrested, and Nancy Mace is wearing a wrist brace and shoulder sling after the South Carolina congresswoman said she was “physically accosted” in a Capitol office building on Tuesday afternoon.
- Peter Drier @ Talking Points Memo: Trump Does Not Have Mandate
Newspaper headlines have called Donald Trump’s victory “decisive,” “massive,” “resounding,” “historic,” and “sweeping.” Trump himself has described his win as a “landslide.” On election night, he claimed that “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.” None of those things are true.
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TDB REF
A cavalcade of supporting characters in the MAGA universe, and President-elect Donald Trump, showed up at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday to attend a soirée for the conspiratorial, QAnon-adjacent conservative nonprofit America’s Future.
Mel Gibson, the traditionalist Catholic actor and director, told the crowd, “I got nine kids. If one of them got stolen or trafficked, I’d have to kill someone.”
That chimes with the kind of themes promoted by the group’s chairman, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who has remade America’s Future in his own image. Since his appointment in 2021, the formerly meat-and-potatoes conservative group has shifted to promoting QAnon-adjacent conspiracy theories about a clandestine cabal of pedophiles controlling media and government.
Last year, Gibson executive produced Sound of Freedom, a Christian thriller starring QAnon conspiracist Jim Caviezel that stoked QAnon paranoia. He praised Flynn for exposing “wolves in sheep’s clothing that prey upon our young” during Tuesday night’s speech at Trump’s club.
In addition to Gibson—who arrived in a polo shirt, shorts, and Crocs before changing into a more appropriate suit and tie—other attendees included British comedian turned conspiracy theorist Russell Brand, car dealership fortune heir turned working-class poseur Kid Rock, Fox News outcast Tucker Carlson, and former Trump adviser Roger Stone.
Trump was listed as an “invited honored guest” and was seen alongside Flynn before he briefly addressed attendees outside, accompanied by Flynn, Carlson, and Kid Rock, who he called “great people.”
Carlson and Kid Rock, née Robert Ritchie, were given “Champion for Freedom” awards by Flynn.
Carlson once called QAnon supporters—who believe a cabal of clandestine, Satanic child molesters are working against Trump—“gentle people waving American flags.” America’s Future, under the professed mandate of combatting human trafficking, has promoted similar conspiracies.
“They have organ harvesting,” says Flynn’s sister, Mary O’Neill, who was appointed executive director after he became chairman, in a video on their site. “They have also found a way to take the blood, and use the blood, to make themselves youthful.”
One attendee, who posed with Stone, commented on Instagram that they saw one-time television actor turned COVID and election denier Kevin Sorbo, who has been known to frequent Mar-a-Lago.
But the biggest name on hand, after Trump, was the pope-denying Gibson.
He called the Biden administration “four years of thinly veiled Marxism” and the incoming Trump administration as “a four year grace period,” adding “we’ll see how much this administration can claw back from the Philistines.”
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Atlantic reporter John Hendrickson set out on one mission during a Gwinnett County, Georgia event sponsored far-right MAGA ally Charlie Kirk earlier this week, by asking attendees one question: "What do you think will happen if [Donald] Trump loses?"
Hendrickson reports that he "heard a range of answers," including "promises to accept the outcome," and even "predictions of a new Civil War."
One MAGA fan, Joshua Barnes, told Hendrickson that if Kamala Harris defeats Trump, "as much as I would hate it, you kind of do have to accept it."
READ MORE:['Outrageous abuse of power': Trump withheld aid to Dem and GOP governors who criticized him
Another attendee named Mark Williams — who says he runs "the biggest political printing business in" The Peach State — told The Atlantic reporter me that "there’s going to be some crazy people that do some crazy s—t; that just happens. But the actions of most of us, I mean, we’ll bi—h about it and scream at each other and all that kind of stuff, but we’re not going to break into the Capitol and stuff."
He continued, "I’m as big a Trump supporter as anybody, but I didn’t feel compelled to go breaking into the Capitol. And those people that did that did wrong. And I don’t know that all of them did wrong, but the ones that did, they needed to be punished."
However, Williams also told Hendrickson about words he overheard from MAGA supporters while attending "Kid Rock’s Rock the Country festival in Rome, Georgia, earlier this year."
Hendrickson writes:
He described some of the chatter he heard at the festival, such as When we have to go out on the field and fight these people, y’all going to be there with us? 'It did surprise me a little bit, the tone that some of these guys were taking; I think there’s people that are absolutely ready to take on a civil war,' he said. 'I think that if there was an overwhelming view of a crooked election or something like that—yeah, I could see it happening.'
READ MORE:['Trump whisperer': Republicans are betting on this GOP senator’s ability to 'tamp down' ex-president
Ex-Trump official Ben Carson also weighed in, explaining that he doesn't think another January 6 is likely.
"I think regardless of who wins or loses, we’ve got to tone down the dissension and the hatred that’s going on in our country, or it’s going to be destroyed," Carson told Hendrickson.
Another former Trump official — Peter Navarro — took a different approach.
"By asking that question you’re trying to stir up s—t, man," he said to Hendrickson. Claiming that The Atlantic reporter's "query would be better suited for President Joe Biden and the Democrats," Navarro added, "Those a—holes put me in prison. Do you hear me?"
READ MORE:['Shameful': Naval Academy cancels authoritarianism lecture After 'MAGA pressure'
*Hendrickson's full report is available at this link (subscription required).
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Despite having been active in the music industry for over 10 years by then, Kid Rock was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 2000.[2] Kid Rock's career was sometimes marked by tragedy, as in the death of friend and collaborator Joe C.[2][9]^
In May 2000, Kid Rock released the compilation album The History of Rock behind the single "American Bad Ass". The song sampled Metallica's 1991 song "Sad but True", peaking at No. 20 on the mainstream rock chart. Kid Rock would join Metallica on their 2000 Summer Sanitarium Tour along with Korn and System of a Down. Kid Rock and Jonathan Davis filled in on vocals for an injured James Hetfield in Atlanta on July 7, 2000. Kid Rock performed "American Bad Ass" along with the Metallica classics "Sad but True", "Nothing Else Matters", "Fuel" and "Enter Sandman" in addition to covers of "Turn the Page" and "Fortunate Son". The History of Rock was certified double platinum.
Continued success and shift away from hip hop (2001–2008)
In 2001, "American Bad Ass" was nominated for the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance, losing out to Rage Against the Machine's "Guerrilla Radio". Kid Rock appeared in the comedy film Joe Dirt, starring David Spade.[17] Kid Rock was in the live-action/animated film Osmosis Jones, voicing a bacterial cell version of himself named "Kidney Rock"; Kid Rock and Joe C. had also recorded the song "Cool Daddy Cool" for the film's soundtrack album before Joe C.'s death.[17][18]^
In November 2001, Kid Rock released his fifth studio album, Cocky, which was dedicated to Joe C. The album became a hit, spurred by the crossover success of the single "Picture", a country ballad featuring Sheryl Crow which introduced Kid Rock to a wider audience and was ultimately the most successful single on the album.[2][19]^
In support of the album, Kid Rock performed on the Cocky Tour in 2002 and opened for Aerosmith with Run-DMC on the Girls of Summer Tour. During this period, Uncle Kracker began his solo career full-time.[3] He was replaced by underground Detroit rapper Paradime.
In 2002, Kid Rock covered ZZ Top's "Legs" to serve as WWE Diva Stacy Keibler's theme song; it also appeared on the album WWF Forceable Entry.[20]^
Kid Rock filed a lawsuit to gain full control over the Top Dog record label, resulting in his receiving full ownership of the label in 2003.[21][22]^
Kid Rock's self-titled sixth album was also released in 2003, which shifted his music further away from hip hop;[2] the lead single was a cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love".[3] The same year, Kid Rock contributed to the tribute album I've Always Been Crazy: A Tribute to Waylon Jennings, honoring the late country singer by covering the song "Luckenbach, Texas" in collaboration with country singer Kenny Chesney.[23]^
Kid Rock appeared on the track 'My Name is Robert Too' on American blues artist R. L. Burnside's final studio album, A Bothered Mind.[24]^
Kid Rock performing in Denver, Colorado in 2006
The following year, Kid Rock released his seventh studio album, Rock n Roll Jesus, which was his first release to chart at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling 172,000 copies in its first week[25] and going on to sell over 5 million copies.[2] In July 2007, Kid Rock was featured in the cover of Rolling Stone magazine for the second time.[26] The album's third single, "All Summer Long", became a global hit, utilizing a mash up of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London".[27]^
Kid Rock performing for the USO with Kellie Pickler and Zac Brown in 2008
In 2008, Kid Rock recorded and made a music video for the song "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign.[28][29]^
Continued recording (2009–present)
In 2010, Kid Rock released his country-oriented eighth studio album, Born Free, produced by Rick Rubin, and featuring guest appearances by Sheryl Crow and Bob Seger.[2]^
In 2011, Kid Rock was honored by the NAACP, which sparked protests stemming from his past display of the Confederate flag in his concerts.[30] During the ceremony, Kid Rock elaborated on his display of the flag, stating, "[I] never flew the flag with hate in my heart [...] I love America, I love Detroit, and I love black people."[30] Kid Rock's publicist announced that 2011 was the year he officially distanced himself from the flag.[30]^
The following year, Kid Rock performed alongside Travie McCoy and the Roots in honor of Beastie Boys, during the band's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[31][32][33] 2012 also saw the release of Kid Rock's ninth studio album, Rebel Soul; he said that he wanted the album to feel like a greatest hits album, but with new songs.[34] One of the songs on the album, "Cucci Galore", introduced Kid Rock's alter ego, Bobby Shazam.[35]^
In 2013, Kid Rock performed on the "Best Night Ever" tour, where he motioned to charge no more than $20 for his tickets (equivalent to $26 in 2023).[3] The following year, he moved to Warner Bros. Records, releasing his only album on the label, First Kiss, which he self-produced.[3] The album debuted at number two on the *Billboard* 200 and sold more than 354,000 copies in the United States.[36][37] Subsequently, after leaving Warner Bros., Kid Rock signed with the country label Broken Bow Records.[3]^
On July 12, 2017, Kid Rock shared a photo of a "Kid Rock for US Senate" yard sign on Twitter.[38] However, he denied that he was running, citing his upcoming album release and tour.[39] He later clarified that the campaign was a hoax.[40] He donated $122,000, raised by selling "Kid Rock for U.S. Senate" merchandise, to a voter registration group.[41]
Also in July, he released two singles from his next album, "Po-Dunk" and "Greatest Show on Earth", both released on the same day.[3] In November of that year, he released his eleventh studio album, Sweet Southern Sugar. The same year also saw Kid Rock publicly advocate measures against ticket scalpers at his shows by making tickets more affordable for fans.[42] Instead of getting paid for the show, he gets a percentage of concession and ticket sales.[43]^
In November 2017, Kid Rock fired his publicist, Kirt Webster, after Webster was accused of sexual misconduct.[44]^
In January 2018, the National Hockey League announced Kid Rock as the headlining entertainer for their January 28 All-Star Game, sparking negative online responses from some hockey fans.[45][46] Former hockey player and commentator Jeremy Roenick praised the choice and condemned Kid Rock's critics.[46]^
In March 2018, Kid Rock said he would perform on Lynyrd Skynyrd's final tour before the Southern rock band retired, alongside Hank Williams Jr., Bad Company, the Marshall Tucker Band and 38 Special.[47]^
Kid Rock released his first greatest hits album titled Greatest Hits: You Never Saw Coming on September 21, 2018.
On March 29, 2020, Kid Rock released his first single under the name "DJ Bobby Shazam", entitled "Quarantine", which featured an old-school hip hop sound. The artist stated all proceeds from the single's sales will go to fight COVID-19.[48]^
During Kid Rock's 50th birthday livestream, he announced that he would be releasing a triple album consisting of a hip hop disc, a country music disc and a rock disc which would contain 30 new songs and 20 previously unreleased songs; the first single from the album, "Don't Tell Me How To Live", featuring the band Monster Truck, was released on November 18, 2021, and featured a rap rock sound reminiscent of his Devil Without a Cause album.[49] On December 17, 2021, he released a cover of "Ala-Freaking-Bama" by Trace Adkins titled "Ala-Fuckin-Bama".[50][51]^
On January 25, 2022, Kid Rock released a single, "We the People", in which he criticizes the media, Anthony Fauci, face masks, COVID-19 restrictions, and Big Tech to the chorus of "Let's Go Brandon".[52] That same day, he also released "Rockin'" and "The Last Dance". On January 28, 2022, he announced on his upcoming Bad Reputation Tour that he would not perform at venues that require masks and proof of vaccination and would cancel shows at such places.[53]^
On March 10, 2022, Kid Rock announced his upcoming twelfth studio album Bad Reputation, which would include his five previously released singles. It digitally released on March 21, while a physical release of the album occurred on April 6.[54]^
In January 2023, Kid Rock collaborated with Fueled by 808, Austin Mahone, and Jimmie Allen on the single "No Limits".[55]^
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Personal life
Kid Rock and former spouse Pamela Anderson in 2003
In eighth grade, Ritchie began an on-and-off relationship with classmate Kelley South Russell that lasted for the next decade.[2][8][9] In summer 1993, Russell gave birth to their son, Robert James Ritchie Jr.[2][9] They raised a total of three children together, two of whom Ritchie believed to be his. They split up in late 1993 when Ritchie discovered that only one of the two was his.[9] He subsequently raised his son as a single father.[76]^
In 2000, Rolling Stone reported that Ritchie was dating model Jaime King.[77] He began dating actress Pamela Anderson in 2001 and they became engaged in April 2002, but ended their relationship in 2003.[2] They later reconciled and were married in July 2006.[78] Three months later, on November 10, it was announced that Anderson, who had been pregnant with Ritchie's child, had miscarried.[79] On November 27, she filed for divorce from Ritchie in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences.[80][81] Ritchie later claimed that the divorce was due to Anderson openly criticizing his mother and sister in front of his son.[82]^
In 2014, Ritchie became a grandfather when his son's girlfriend gave birth to a daughter.[2] In November 2017, he became engaged to longtime girlfriend Audrey Berry.[83] The couple met in suburban Detroit, not long after he and Anderson finalized their divorce in 2007. He spotted her at a restaurant and asked her out immediately, leading to their first date in Chicago the next day.[84]^
Ritchie is an ordained minister and has a firearm collection.[85] He has called Nashville a part-time home since 2005, and also splits time between his native Detroit and Alabama.[86]^
Public image and controversies
Kid Rock performs at the USO Holiday Tour stop at Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Balad, Iraq, Dec. 20, 2007.
Ritchie oversees The Kid Rock Foundation, a charity which raises funds for multiple causes, including campaigns which sent "Kid Rock care packages" to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas.[4] Ritchie is an advocate for affordable concert tickets. He sells tickets for as low as possible to increase concert attendance for lower income consumers, and to discourage scalping.[42][87] Instead of getting paid for the show, he gets a percentage of concession and ticket sales.[43]^
In 1989, Ritchie became a shareholder of the independent record label Top Dog Records, formed by Alvin Williams and Earl Blunt of EB-Bran Productions, in 1988; Ritchie's investment in the company gave him 25% ownership.[10] In 2001, he filed a lawsuit to gain full control over the Top Dog record label, resulting in his receiving full ownership of the label in 2003.[22][88] Ritchie also founded Kid Rock's Made in Detroit restaurant and bar, which specializes in Southern-style cuisine.[89]^
In March 1991 and again in September 1997, Ritchie faced misdemeanor charges stemming from alcohol-related arrests in Michigan.[90]^
Also in 1997, Kid Rock wrote the song "Cool, Daddy Cool" which was later used in the 2001 children's movie Osmosis Jones. In the song, Kid Rock said the controversial lyrics "Young ladies, young ladies, I like ’em underage see, Some say that’s statutory (But I say it’s mandatory) [Joe C. saying the mandatory line]".[91][92]^
In 2002, Kid Rock performed alongside Chuck D and Grandmaster Flash in tribute to slain DJ Jam Master Jay.[93] In September 2005, Kid Rock filled in for Johnny Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, on the band's hit "Sweet Home Alabama" at the Hurricane Katrina benefit concert.[94]^
Kid Rock's performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 drew criticism from Veterans of Foreign Wars and Senator Zell Miller for cutting a hole in an American flag and wearing it as a poncho; Ritchie was accused of "desecrating" the flag.[2][95][96][97]^
In January 2005, Ritchie performed at the inaugural address of reelected president George W. Bush, sparking criticism from conservative groups, due to singing about "how he sexually exploits every girl and then asks them if he can do it with their moms".[98]^
Also in 2005, Ritchie was charged with assaulting a DJ in a strip club.[2][99]^
In 2006, California pornographic film company Red Light District attempted to distribute a 1999 sex tape in which Kid Rock and Scott Stapp, lead singer of the band Creed, are seen partying and receiving oral sex from groupies; both Rock and Stapp filed with the California courts to sue the pornographers to stop the tape's distribution.[100][101]^
At the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, Ritchie got into a fistfight with Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, another ex of Pamela Anderson's, and was charged with assault.[2][102] A month later, he was arrested and charged with battery after fighting with a Waffle House customer.[2][103] He pleaded no contest to one count and was fined $1,000, as well as being required to perform 80 hours of community service and complete a six-hour anger management course.[104]^
In 2007 and 2008, Ritchie toured for the United Service Organizations.[105] Also in 2008, Ritchie recorded and made a music video for the song "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign.[29][106]^
Kid Rock performs for service members during a USO tour at Al Asad Airbase's Jordan-Hare Stadium in Iraq, 2008.
In 2011, Ritchie was honored by the NAACP, which sparked protests stemming from his past display of the Confederate flag in his concerts.[30] During the ceremony, Kid Rock elaborated on his display of the flag, stating, "[I] never flew the flag with hate in my heart [...] I love America, I love Detroit, and I love black people."[30] Ritchie's publicist announced that 2011 was the year he officially distanced himself from the flag.[30] Kid Rock stopped displaying the Confederate flag at his concerts since 2007.[30]^
In 2012, Kid Rock performed alongside Travie McCoy and the Roots in honor of Beastie Boys, during the band's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[31][32][33]^
In 2013, Ritchie criticized Republican lawmakers in New York for passing laws which made it difficult for him to keep concert ticket prices low.[87]^
In January 2Ted Nugent015, Ritchie was criticized by fans for appearing in a photograph holding up a dead cougar that was killed on a hunting trip with .[107]^
In 2015, following the Charleston church shooting, the Michigan chapter of the National Action Network protested outside of the Detroit Historical Museum which honored Ritchie; activists urged Ritchie to renounce the Confederate flag, which he had displayed in concerts from 2001 to 2006.[108][109] Ritchie wrote an email to Fox News Channel host Megyn Kelly, stating, "Please tell the people who are protesting to kiss my ass".[110] The same day, the National Action Network protested Chevrolet for sponsoring Ritchie's tour.[111]^
In September 2016, Ritchie was criticized for allegedly saying "man, fuck Colin Kaepernick" during a live performance of his song "Born Free".[108]^
On April 6, 2018, Ritchie was inducted into the Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame during the weekend of WrestleMania 34.[112]^
On November 30, 2019, Ritchie drew controversy after he was recorded making a series of inappropriate and inflammatory statements while intoxicated at his restaurant in Nashville, including about Oprah Winfrey and Joy Behar.[113] After receiving major pushback for his comments, Ritchie decided to close the Detroit branch of his restaurant in December 2019, located at the Little Caesar's Arena. When asked for comment about the closure, he stated that "it's wise to go where you're celebrated, not tolerated".[114] In a June 2022 interview with Tucker Carlson on Tucker Carlson Originals: Life of a Rockstar, Ritchie said he had nothing to apologize for regarding the incident.[115][116][117]^
In June 2021, Kid Rock attracted further controversy for using the word "faggot" onstage during a tirade against fans who were filming his performance.[118] He later defended his remarks while "reaffirming his love for his homosexual friends".[119][120] In July 2022 he faced additional accusations of homophobia after, on June 30, 2022, he posted a meme on Truth Social and on Twitter stating, "If you're anti-gun, you don't get to celebrate the 4th of July, You would have never fought back. Enjoy your pride month. Pussy."[121]^
On April 3, 2023, Kid Rock posted a video on Twitter in which he is shown shooting cases of Bud Light beer cans with a submachine gun, which was seen as being in response to an advertising campaign by Anheuser-Busch that features transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.[122][123][124]
After the shooting, he exclaims, "Fuck Bud Light. Fuck Anheuser-Busch."[122] He was one of key conservative influencers, alongside Sebastian Gorka, Candace Owens and Vince Dao whose push eventually led to the 2023 Bud Light boycott and which caused a large drop in sales of Bud Light.[125][126] He later promoted the Happy Dad brand; which has partnered with Caitlyn Jenner, who is a transgender woman.[127] In August, he was pictured drinking a can of Bud Light at a Colt Ford concert in Nashville.[128][129]^
Politics and views
Ritchie at the White House in 2017
Ritchie is a supporter of the Republican Party,[130] although he has routinely proclaimed himself as libertarian philosophically,[87][131][132] stating he has socially liberal views on topics like abortion and gay marriage but conservative views on economics.[132] Ritchie has advocated legalizing and taxing marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.[85] He has also stated, "I don't think crazy people should have guns."[85]^
He was a vocal supporter of American military involvement in the Iraq War.[133] Ritchie has met with presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump while they were in office.[77][134][135] Regarding his political views, Ritchie said, "I have friends everywhere. Democrat, Republican, this that and the other. ... We're all human beings first, Americans second. Let's find some common ground and get along." During his speech at the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, he stated that he wanted to "body slam some Democrats".[136]^
Ritchie supported Bill Clinton and George W. Bush during their presidencies.[77][137] In 2008, Ritchie supported newly elected President Barack Obama, saying that the president's election was "a great thing for black people."[137] In 2012, Ritchie campaigned for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney; the candidate used Ritchie's song "Born Free" as his campaign theme.[131][138][139][140][141][142]
In 2015, Ritchie publicly endorsed Ben Carson for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2016 election.[143] In February 2016, he voiced approval for Donald Trump's campaign for the same office.[131] In December, Kid Rock sparked controversy for selling T-shirts supporting Trump at concerts, including one showing a map of the United States which labelled the states which had voted against Trump as "Dumbfuckistan".[108][144]^
On July 12, 2017, Ritchie shared a photo of a "Kid Rock for US Senate" yard sign on Twitter. He also launched a website at kidrockforsenate.com, which sold merchandise bearing that inscription.[38] Several weeks later, he wrote a post on his blog stating that he was still "exploring my candidacy", and that, whether or not he ran, he wanted to register people to vote, because "although people are unhappy with the government, too few are even registered to vote or do anything about it." He added that he wanted "to help working class people in Michigan and America all while still calling out these jackass lawyers who call themselves politicians."[145]
:{ His statements sparked media speculation that he would try to run on the Republican ticket against sitting Michigan senator Debbie Stabenow, as well as enthusiasm from some prominent Republicans, including former New York Governor George Pataki, who wrote on Twitter, "Kid Rock is exactly the kind of candidate the GOP needs right now."[146] In an October 2017 interview with Howard Stern, Ritchie put an end to the speculation, saying that he had never intended to run for Senate, adding rhetorically, "Who couldn't figure that out?".[147]
He later clarified that the campaign was a joke that he had started after a Michigan state legislator encouraged him to run for Senate. He expressed surprise at the interest his potential candidacy had received, but also disappointment that some opposed to his candidacy had brought up his previous use of the Confederate flag to label him a racist.[40] He donated the $122,000 he had raised by selling "Kid Rock for U.S. Senate" merchandise to CRNC Action, a College Republican group.[41]}:
On July 18, 2024, Ritchie performed his song "American Bad Ass" for the 2024 Republican National Convention with modified lyrics to show his support for Trump.[148]^
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