Military Launches Investigation After Kid Rock Shares Video Of Apache Helicopter Flying In Front Of His Replica White House In Tennessee
A musician Kid Rock sparked an official Army investigation after he shared a video that appeared to show an Apache helicopter flying down outside his Tennessee home—seemingly hovering in the air while the rocker saluted and waved to the pilot.
In the first of two videos, posted on X on March 28, Kid Rock, 55, whose real name is Robert James Ritchiewas seen standing outside his Nashville residence as a helicopter flew down near his infinity pool, just feet from where the rocker was standing.
Kid Rock greets the helicopter and claps, before flying off into the distance.
In a second video, posted a few minutes later, the helicopter is seen in the same location, with Kid Rock this time pumping his fist in the air and pointing at the Army plane as someone behind him films the entire incident. It is unclear if the helicopter in the second clip is the same as the one shown in the first.
However, as the second clip ends, another helicopter can be seen flying over the area at high altitude.
In his X post with videos, Kid Rock, who is a staunch supporter of the President Donald Trumptook aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsomhe wrote: “This is a level of intellectual respect that the Governor of California will never know.
“God Bless America and all who have made great sacrifices to protect it.”
A spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division, based out of Fort Campbell, KY, later confirmed to NBC News that two AH-64 Apache helicopters were completing a training mission in the Nashville area, while denying that the presence of the aircraft in the area was in any way related to the “No Kings” protest that was held on the same day in the city on the same day.
However, the spokesperson noted that the behavior of the aircraft seen in the video was being reviewed by senior officers, who said: “The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell maintain strict standards of aviation safety, professionalism, and compliance with established aviation regulations.
“We take seriously all concerns about the operations of the airlines and their impact on the community around us.”
Speaking to Politico, Major Montrell Russellin a statement that the Army has begun an administrative review to “assess operations and ensure compliance with airspace regulations and requirements,” noting that “appropriate action” will be taken if any violations are found.
“The military is aware of a video circulating online that appears to show AH-64 Apache helicopters operating near a private residence in the Nashville area,” Russell said. “Army pilots must follow strict safety standards, professionalism, and established flight rules.”
Kid Rock’s home in Tennessee, which he called the “Southern White House” was built to resemble 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, and took nearly two decades to complete.
Perched on a hill in the Brick Church Bellshire neighborhood of Nashville, the building occupies an area of 27,000 square meters and is full of unique amenities, including a gold urinal, which the rocker proudly revealed in a 2022 interview with a former Fox News host. Tucker Carlson.
There’s also a church, a barber shop, and even a private gas station on the property, with two additional buildings flanking the “Southern White House,” according to photos of the site.
Videos posted by Kid Rock show that he has installed a small statue of Liberty overlooking his pool, while a large sign that reads “Southern White House” is hung inside the open deck, just outside the residence’s back door.
When Carlson viewed the property in 2022, the residence was still under construction, with Kid Rock telling the Fox News host that he “wrote a check” for the property immediately after seeing it — revealing that the spectacular views of Nashville were what really sold him on the parcel.
“I love design and interior design, and I’ve been dreaming about it for 20 years,” the artist said at the time. “You have to leave your mark somehow, right?”
After Carlson called the unfinished place “crazy,” Kid Rock continued: “Yeah, a 7-mile drive straight into downtown Nashville. When we went up to pick up the place, we got stuck in our truck, and it got ticks and us.” [my friend] he said let’s get out of here.”
But after moving to the area that now occupies his backyard, Kid Rock admitted there was no going back.
“We get here, and I’m like, ‘Write them a check,'” he recalls.
After his outfit was assembled, Kid Rock began adding more details to the design—including an antique bed he had found for one of the singers. Zac BrownHe commented that he “loves antiques.”
Brown also added another impressive flourish to the residence in the form of a giant eagle that now sits atop the home’s entryway, although Kid Rock revealed that he had the item affixed in 24-karat gold after it was given to him.
Records show that Kid Rock bought the 68-acre property on which his property is being built for $136,000 in 2002—although it is now believed to be worth much more.
A few years before that interview took place, the singer began releasing several other properties in his portfolio, including a mansion in Detroit and a home in Malibu, revealing to Carlson in 2022 that he lived in a double trailer before moving to the “Southern White House”.
But selling the properties he’s lived in isn’t as exciting as building his dream home in Tennessee—especially when it comes to his Malibu home, which took nearly four years to find a buyer.
The multiplatinum singer, who bought the 1.5-acre Point Dume property in 2006 for $11.6 million, first listed the property at $13.45 million in September 2013, then lowered the price to $12 million in March 2016.
He finally sold the property for $9.5 million in June 2017.
As for his home in Detroit, the rocker bought the property for an undisclosed amount in 2012, after it was listed for just $465,000. Soon after, he did a number of renovations to the property, including the addition of a boathouse, heated two-car garage, and a modern entertainment system.
He also converted the basement into a large entertainment area, complete with a beer garden and a poker table.
Kid Rock listed that home for $2.2 million in July 2019 and sold it for a reduced price of $2 million one month later, according to records.
