Army reviewing after helicopters hovered alongside Kid Rock's swimming pool as he saluted

The 101st Airborne Division is investigating the training maneuver over the musician's Tennessee home.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:43am

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A dynamic, abstract painting depicting two military helicopters hovering over a swimming pool, with the cityscape in the background, conveying the fractured, high-energy nature of the incident.The Army is investigating a training exercise that saw helicopters hover over Kid Rock's Tennessee home as the musician saluted the crews.Today in Nashville

The U.S. Army has launched an administrative review after two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the nearby 101st Airborne Division hovered near the hillside home of musician Kid Rock as he saluted the crews. Kid Rock posted videos of the incident on social media, claiming it was a show of respect that 'the Governor of California will never know.' The Army says there was no official request from Kid Rock for the helicopters to visit his property, and the training run also overflew a nearby protest, though the two events were unrelated.

Why it matters

The incident has raised questions about the appropriate use of military assets and whether special treatment was given to the outspoken Trump supporter. It also highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and critics like California's governor.

The details

In the videos posted by Kid Rock, the two Apache helicopters can be seen hovering alongside his swimming pool as he claps, salutes, and raises his fist. The Nashville skyline is visible in the background. The Army says the helicopters were conducting routine training in the area and did not make a special trip to Kid Rock's home at his request.

  • On Saturday, March 29, 2026, the helicopters hovered near Kid Rock's home.
  • The videos were posted by Kid Rock on social media on the same day.

The players

Kid Rock

An American musician and outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California, who has repeatedly sparred with the Trump administration.

101st Airborne Division

A U.S. Army division based at Fort Campbell on the Tennessee-Kentucky border, whose helicopters were involved in the incident.

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What they’re saying

“This is a level of respect that the Governor of California will never know. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.”

— Kid Rock, Musician

“Army aviators must adhere to strict safety standards, professionalism, and established flight regulations. An administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements. Appropriate action will be taken if any violations are found.”

— Maj. Jonathon Bless, Public Affairs Officer, 101st Airborne Division

What’s next

The 101st Airborne Division has stated that an administrative review is underway to assess the training mission and ensure compliance with regulations. The results of this review will determine if any further action is necessary.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Trump administration and its critics, as well as the need for the military to maintain strict protocols and avoid the appearance of favoritism when using assets for training purposes.