Rap-rock/country star Kid Rock posted a video on his social media over the weekend which appeared to show two Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters pause for a flyover over his Nashville, TN mansion. In that video, Rock can be seen excitedly cheering and saluting the pilots as they hovered just across from the pool of his mansion, which he had custom built to mirror various aspects of The White House.
Rock, an outspoken conservative and friend of U.S. President Donald J. Trump, has dubbed his home ‘The Southern White House’. While some of Rock‘s fans expressed their admiration for the apparent publicity stunt, others were quick to criticize the move, insisting that the display of military might was a waste of U.S. taxpayer money.
According to Nashville’s Newschannel 5, these same two attack helicopters also made a low pass over the ‘No Kings’ protest held in Nashville, TN this past Saturday, March 28th, ahead of their visit to Rock‘s residence. Those annual protests saw millions of U.S. citizens rallying against the policies of Trump and his current administration in numerous cities.
Newschannel 5 now report that The U.S. Army have opened an investigation as to why the the pilots opted to buzz Rock‘s mansion. A statement issued by Maj. Jonathan Bless, who serves as the public affairs officer for the 101 Airborne Division, read:
“Fort Campbell leadership is aware of a video circulating on social media depicting AH-64 Apache helicopters operating in the vicinity of a private residence associated with Mr. Robert Ritchie (also known as ‘Kid Rock’)”
“The command has initiated an investigation to review the circumstances surrounding this activity.”
“The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell maintain strict standards for aviation safety, professionalism, and adherence to established flight regulations. We take all concerns regarding aircraft operations and their impact on the surrounding community seriously.”
As for why the two attack choppers staged a flyby over the ‘No Kings’ protest, Bless told the aforementioned news outlet the reasoning behind those maneuvers was also unclear, stating: “Our pilots do regularly fly routes outside the Fort Campbell area. We just don’t know if it was incidental or if it was deliberate.”
Rock himself took aim at his longtime nemesis, Californian Governor Gavin Newsom, with his aforementioned social media post about the helicopter visit, stating alongside it:
“This is a level of respect that sh*t for brains Governor of California will never know. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.”
