We now know the reason (or, at least, one of the reasons) why Kid Rock was spotted going for a ride in an Apache military helicopter alongside U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth last week.
He’s using the footage as a hype video for his current tour.
Read More: Kid Rock Takes a Military Helicopter Ride With Pete Hegseth — See Photos!
When Rock kicked off his 2026 Freedom 250 Tour on Friday night (May 1) in Dallas, Texas, he also debuted a show-opening video of himself and Hegseth meeting on a tarmac and hopping into one of the military choppers.
Watch Kid Rock’s Show-Opening Video With U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth + a Military Helicoptor
The video shows a skit in which Hegseth offers Rock a ride to his show — in the helicopter.
It starts after Kid Rock touches down on a tarmac in his private jet, and sees Hegseth waiting for him. The two men hug, and Rock asks him what he’s doing there, to which Hegseth responds, “I’m going to your show tonight!”
“Jump in, I’ll give you a ride,” Rock offers.
“Well, I appreciate that. But how about I give you a ride?” Hegseth responds, gesturing toward the helicopters.
An enthusiastic Rock heads excitedly toward the choppers, where the two men greet military service members and zoom off to get to the show.
Kid Rock previously teased that he “may be coming to each show in an Apache helicopter, which should send far-left liberals into complete breakdown tears,” according to Variety.
What Else Will the Video Footage of Kid Rock + Pete Hegseth In the Military Helicopter Be Used For?
After they were first spotted on their military helicopter ride, TMZ reported that Rock and Hegseth’s joyride will also be used for Memorial Day events and Independence Day festivities.
The two men took a ride around the Washington, D.C. area on April 27. Hegseth later shared on X that the moment was a celebration of America’s upcoming 250th birthday celebration this Independence Day (July 4.)
“Kid Rock is a huge patriot and supporter of our troops,” Hegseth wrote. “The War Department is wasting no time in celebrating America’s 250th — home of the free because of the brave.”
Kid Rock Faced Controversy Over Another Interaction With a Military Helicopter
About a month ago, Kid Rock faced some fan backlash after posting a video of himself saluting a military helicopter as it flew by and hovered outside his home.
Read More: Kid Rock Salutes Military Helicopter, Draws Fan Backlash
The Army briefly suspended the flight crew and investigated the incident after some raised concerns that the fly-by was taking away from valuable taxpayer resources, but the investigation quickly closed with no recourse against any involved parties.
How Is Kid Rock Honoring Military Service Members + Veterans During His Freedom 250 Tour?
After the helicopter ride, a spokesperson for the Pentagon also told TMZ that Kid Rock had “generously pledged 1,000 free tickets for members of the military and veterans” at each of his upcoming tour stops.
On May 1 — the first date of his tour — Rock announced more details about that on X.
He shared some video footage from the chopper ride and announced that “250 recipients will receive up to 4 tickets each to shows this year.”
Military service members and veterans who wish to receive free tickets to Kid Rock’s show should submit their request via VetTix.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
