‘Investigate This Now’: Kid Rock’s Apache Helicopter Ride With Pete Hegseth Sparks Taxpayer Fury

Rap-rock-to-country musician Kid Rock kicked off his ‘Freedom 250 Tour’ on May 1 at the Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas, TX. The show began with an explosive video montage featuring Rock and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth flying a duo of AH‑64 Apache attack helicopters. The video drew backlash across social media.

This video, which was shared before the show during the opening of Kid Rock's tour, has sparked a heated public debate over its depiction of the artist flying in a U.S. Army Apache helicopter with Hegseth. The approximately 60-second video showed Kid Rock landing at a military installation via private jet, where Hegseth welcomed him on the tarmac and provided him with a ride to the event in one of the Army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.

According to The Irish Star, the video showed the musician exiting his jet after landing at a military base. There, he is welcomed by Hegseth and asks him, "Mr. Secretary, what are you doing here?" The Secretary of War then says, "I'm going to your show".

Many social media users voiced their dissatisfaction with Kid Rock's video of him taking a ride on a US Army Apache helicopter. Many called it a a politically motivated use of military resources, with one writing, "Pete Hegseth and Kid Rock spending your hard-earned taxpayer money on a promo video for Kid Rock's new tour.... This administration is unintelligent, underqualified, and corrupt."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a critic of the Trump administration, said, "A complete WASTE of taxpayer dollars. Pete Hegseth and Kid Rock need to be INVESTIGATED NOW! While Trump is ripping health care away, how much did this c--- cost us???"

Democratic Representative Jason Crow from Colorado, a former Army Ranger, questioned, "Why is Pete Hegseth spending your taxpayer dollars to give Kid Rock "joy rides" on Apache helicopters?"

An AH-64 Apache has an hourly flying cost of about $7,000 per hour, as reported by Rolling Stone. Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that Army helicopters participated in the National Capital Region for Kid Rock's Freedom 250th event.

The musician drew criticism last month when he posted a video on social media featuring two Apache helicopters flying close to his mansion in Tennessee. Kid Rock has been a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and is frequently highlighted as one of MAGA's most prominent celebrity backers. The concert tour is part of the president's agenda to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence in July, according to reports.

However, many have raised concerns about the Trump administration using public funds to support the musician's tour and marketing. When asked about the criticisms he has been getting special treatment from the government, Rock said it was a ‘spin’ by the media and critics.