Apache helicopters reportedly are not stationed at the Virginia base, and it was unclear where they came from(Image: Getty Images)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom chimed in Monday on a report citing Army sources who said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took conservative musician Kid Rock on a “joy ride” using two Apache helicopters.
Dropsite journalist Ryan Grim reported that Hegseth flew to Fort Belvoir in Virginia Monday morning on his private jet before meeting with the MAGA rock performer for the joy ride. Though the military helicopters are typically piloted by two people, Hegseth and Kid Rock flew with one so that they could each “ride shotgun,” the Army sources told Grim, who also said the claims were supported by flight data.
Newsom, a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump and his administration, replied to Grim’s social media post asking for justification for the reported flight. “Why are taxpayers paying to fly Kid Rock around on $100 million helicopters?” he wrote.
READ MORE: Kash Patel accused of ‘cosplaying’ an FBI agent after reaction during WHCD shootingREAD MORE: Pete Hegseth targeted by protestors shouting he ‘should be arrested’ at White House dinner
Apache helicopters are not stationed at the Virginia base, Grim added, and it was unclear where they came from.
The alleged joy ride incident came weeks after Hegseth canceled the suspension of the crews of two AH-64 Apache helicopters that hovered behind Kid Rock’s swimming pool, writing on social media that there would be “no punishment” and “no investigation.”
Kid Rock posted videos on social media last month of two helicopters above his pool, one of which included a caption disparaging Newsom(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“The army has confirmed that on 28 March, 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 in a statement last month.
It said it was reviewing “the circumstances surrounding the mission, including compliance with relevant FAA regulations, aviation safety protocol, and approval requirements.”
Kid Rock posted videos on social media of the two helicopters above his pool, one of which included a caption disparaging Newsom.
“This is a level of respect that s–t for brains Governor of California will never know,” Kid Rock wrote. “God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.”
Kid Rock said he did not think the crews would face punishment for last month’s fly-by, adding, “My buddy’s the commander-in-chief”(Image: Getty Images)
Kid Rock, who is a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, told WKRN-TV that it’s not unusual for helicopters from nearby Fort Campbell to fly near his property. He said he is a strong supporter of the military and he’s performed for troops overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.
Trump, speaking at the Oval Office after the incident, suggested that perhaps the helicopter crews should not have flown to Kid Rock’s pool. He then added: “I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him. I don’t know.”
Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories.
Kid Rock said he did not think the crews would face punishment for the fly-by, adding, “My buddy’s the commander-in-chief.”
Neither the White House, Defense Department or Kid Rock’s agent had commented publicly on the incident by Monday evening.
Sign up to our FREE newsletter and get the top stories to your inbox
DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.