Pentagon Taps Kid Rock for Memorial Day Message, Sparking Social Media Backlash

The Pentagon chose MAGA musician Kid Rock to deliver a special message on Memorial Day, when the nation remembers and pays tribute to America’s fallen service members.

Wearing sunglasses, a black hoodie and a large chain, the pro-Trump star delivered his brief message Monday morning, which was amplified by the Department of Defense, aka the Department of War, on its rapid response account.

“Memorial Day message from @KidRock,” the account posted.

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, led the Memorial Day services Monday at Arlington National Cemetery.

“Hey everyone, this is Kid Rock,” the singer turned close friend of Hegseth began. “On this Memorial Day, we are remembering the sacrifice and service of so many who are not with us today. It’s a special day. We’re thinking of them. Once again, I wanted to say thank you.”

“God bless all of you for your sacrifice, for your service,” Kid Rock concluded with a salute. “Keep on Kid Rocking in the free world. God bless you all.”

Superman actor and fellow Trump ally Dean Cain also shared a Memorial Day message that was shared on the department’s social media account.

Some complained on social media that Kid Rock was not an appropriate choice.

“Did the White House run out of actual veterans, or did they just think a monster truck rally vibe was the best way to honor the ultimate sacrifice?” one person responded to the video on social media. “Absolutely stunning leadership.”

“I don't want to hear from Kid Rock on Memorial Day,” someone else reacted.

“Is he on the White House payroll now?” another person said. “How inappropriate. Hegseth needs to keep his bromance off your posts.”

Hegseth has hailed Kid Rock a “patriot,” and even treated him to a ride in the gunner’s seat of an AH-64 Apache last month.

“Joined my friend Kid Rock — and some of our great U.S. Army Apache pilots — for a ride this morning,” said Hegseth on X at the time.

The ride with Hegseth followed an earlier incident in March involving Kid Rock, where Army helicopters hovered near his Nashville-area mansion in an apparent tribute.

After the stunt, the helicopter pilots were pulled from duty but Hegseth personally intervened to lift their suspensions.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said at the time that the flights supported a “community relations event” for a White House-led initiative, called Freedom 250, that is coordinating events for America’s 250th anniversary commemoration.

“Robert ‘Kid Rock’ Ritchie participated in multiple troop touches with service members and filmed videos for Memorial Day, America’s 250th birthday, and for his Freedom 250 tour,” Parnell said in the statement.

Kid Rock has been frequently featured in the Trump administration’s social media posts, including a bizarre stunt with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, where the men appeared in a workout video shirtless.

Kennedy was grilled about the bizarre display in April by California Democrat Linda Sanchez when he went before the House Ways and Means Committee.

"You suspended this pro-vaccine messaging campaign, but somehow you're spending taxpayer dollars to drink milk shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock. And somehow you think that's a better public health message,” Sanchez said.