Suspension Lifted on Helicopter Crews for Viral Fly-By at Kid Rock’s Home

The musician’s video on X has garnered more than 10 million views.

Musician Kid Rock introduces Vice President JD Vance to speak in front of members of the U.S. Military in Fort Campbell, Ky., on Nov. 26, 2025. Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Two AH-64 Apache helicopter crews were suspended, then quickly unsuspended Tuesday after they hovered next to Kid Rock’s “Southern White House” home in Nashville on Saturday.

The long-time country rock musician posted a video of the fly-by on X, showing him clapping and saluting the helicopter crews, whose suspension was a discretionary step for an investigation, the Army said in a statement Tuesday.

Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth pulled that suspension later the same day.

“Thank you [Kid Rock]. [U.S. Army] pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots,” Hegseth wrote on X.

Prior to the secretary’s announcement, the army released a statement about the Saturday fly-by.

“The Army has confirmed that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight in the Nashville area that has attracted public and media attention,” the Army said.

Kid Rock’s video on X, which he captioned with a grateful message to the U.S. military and a jab at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, has garnered more than 10 million views as of this publication.

Standing next to a replica of the Statue of Liberty, Kid Rock claps, salutes, and raises his fist as one of the helicopters hovers near his pool. The second helicopter can be seen zipping by in the background of a second video post on X.

Trump commented on the Army’s suspension of the crews, telling reporters in the Oval Office, “They probably shouldn’t have been doing it … You’re not supposed to be playing games.

“But I’ll take a look at it. You like Kid Rock? I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him—I don’t know.”

Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, told a local Nashville station that it’s not uncommon for helicopters from nearby Fort Campbell to pass near his 27,000-square-foot mansion.

“I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot,” he told WKRN. “I’ve talked to some of these pilots. I’ve told them, ‘You guys see me waving when you come by the house?’ I’m like, ‘You guys are always welcome to cruise by my house, any time.’”

“If it makes their day a little brighter for their service to our country, protecting us, I think that’s a great thing.”

Singer Kid Rock holds an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 31, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

When asked about possible repercussions for the pilots and rest of the crew, he said, “I think they’re going to be all right. My buddy’s the commander in chief.”

Kid Rock has openly befriended President Donald Trump and endorsed him for years, performing at multiple Republican events including the 2024 Republican National Convention and Turning Point USA’s alternative “All-American Halftime Show.”

As the Army continues its investigation, it said it will review the circumstances surrounding the day’s events, compliance with protocols, and approval requirements.

The helicopter crews were on a training mission when they stopped by Kid Rock’s “Southern White House” residence, Maj. Jonathan Bless, a public affairs officer for the 101st Airborne Division, said. They also flew over a “No Kings” protest against Trump that day, but their presence had nothing to do with the gathering, Bless added.

“Appropriate action will be taken if any violations are found. Until the review is complete, there will ​be no further comment,” a previous statement from the Army said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.