Pete Hegseth says ‘no punishment’ for Army pilots who flew near Kid Rock’s $3M White House replica mansion in Tennessee
Army pilots who flew two helicopters near Kid Rock’s $3 million Tennessee mansion have had their suspensions lifted.
The unidentified crew flew past the magnificent replica White House residence while clapping and saluting during a training run.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the suspension was no longer valid.
‘There is no punishment. No Investigation. Go ahead, patriots,” Hegseth said in a social media post. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to comment.
Earlier, a U.S. Army spokesman said the crews of two AH-64 Apache helicopters had their flights suspended pending completion of an investigation into their actions.
Maj. Montrell Russell said the suspension is an optional — but not unusual — step while the investigation is ongoing.
‘The Army confirms that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight in the Nashville area that attracted public and media attention,’ according to a statement from the Army on Tuesday.
The military said it would review whether the flight complied with FAA regulations and aviation safety protocol.
Army pilots who flew two helicopters near Kid Rock’s Tennessee mansion have had their suspensions lifted.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the suspension is no longer valid
Kid Rock, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, told WKRN-TV on Monday that it is not unusual for helicopters from nearby Fort Campbell to fly near his home.
He said he is a big supporter of the military and has performed for troops overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.
‘I think they know it’s a pretty friendly place,’ he said. He noted that last Thanksgiving he was at Fort Campbell, a large Army base on the Tennessee-Kentucky border, with Vice President J.D. Vance.
‘I talked to some of these pilots. I asked them, ‘Do you see me waving when you come home?’ I said. I said, ‘You can come to my house whenever you want.’
Kid Rock posted two short videos on social media on Saturday. Each shows a helicopter flying next to a swimming pool, while the artist claps, salutes and pumps his fist in the air.
One of the posts included a post by Kid Rock disparaging Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has frequently criticized Trump.
Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump suggested that perhaps the crew should not have done this, adding: ‘I love Kid Rock, maybe they were trying to defend him, I don’t know.’
In the videos, Kid Rock stands next to a replica of the Statue of Liberty and a sign that reads ‘White House South’ by the pool.
Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump suggested that perhaps the crew should not have done this, adding: ‘I love Kid Rock, maybe they were trying to defend him, I don’t know.’
His house on a hill overlooking Nashville was built to resemble the White House.
Maj. Jonathon Bless, 101st Airborne Division public affairs officer, said the helicopters were on a training mission when they stopped near Kid Rock’s home.
Helicopters also flew over a ‘No to Kings’ protest against Trump in downtown Nashville, but Bless said their presence had nothing to do with the protest.
Kid Rock said he thought it was “really cool” that they stopped to stop at his house.
‘If this makes their day a little bit brighter in terms of their service to our country and protecting us, I think that’s a great thing,’ he said.
When asked about possible repercussions for crews he said: ‘I think they will be fine. My friend is the commander in chief.’
