Pentagon Chief Defends Kid Rock Helicopter Flyby, Angering MAGA Host

Greg Kelly blasted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for lifting suspensions of pilots who flew past the singer's home.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:08am

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Newsmax host Greg Kelly fired back at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after Hegseth announced the suspension of U.S. Army pilots who flew past Kid Rock's Nashville home had been lifted. Kelly criticized Hegseth for 'micro-managing' the military and insisted the pilots should face discipline for the unauthorized stunt, which Kid Rock had posted on social media.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between MAGA supporters and the military establishment, with Kelly arguing the pilots should face consequences while Hegseth defended their actions. It also reflects Kid Rock's outsized influence in conservative politics as a vocal Trump ally.

The details

On Saturday, Kid Rock posted a video of two AH-64 Apache helicopters flying past his Nashville home. The Army launched an investigation, suspending the pilots involved. However, Hegseth later announced the suspensions had been lifted, praising the 'patriot' pilots on X. An angry Kelly unloaded on Hegseth, saying he runs the Pentagon 'recklessly' and the pilots must face discipline for the 'unauthorized stunt'.

  • On Saturday, Kid Rock posted a video of the helicopter flyby.
  • On Tuesday, the Army announced the pilots had been suspended pending an investigation.
  • Also on Tuesday, Hegseth announced the suspensions had been lifted.

The players

Greg Kelly

A Newsmax host and former U.S. Marine Corps jump jet pilot who criticized Hegseth's handling of the incident.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Secretary of Defense who lifted the suspensions of the pilots involved in the Kid Rock flyby.

Kid Rock

A musician and vocal ally of former President Trump who posted the video of the helicopter flyby at his Nashville home.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you @KidRock. @USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense

“So what if those 'fly boys' flew by Madonna's house and Took a Bow? Or Robert De Niro. That would not be cool, right? But it's just fine for Kid Rockhead? What an amateur move, posting it on Social Media.”

— Greg Kelly, Newsmax Host

“Meanwhile HEGSETH runs the Pentagon like he ran his phony 'non-profits'—RECKLESSLY. He has No business Micro-Managing Army Units. They MUST Discipline Hot Dog Pilots performing Unauthorized Stunts. Because Next Time something could go Very Very Bad.”

— Greg Kelly, Newsmax Host

What’s next

It's unclear if the Army will pursue any further disciplinary action against the pilots involved in the flyby.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between MAGA supporters and the military establishment, with conservatives like Kid Rock and Greg Kelly pushing back against what they see as overly restrictive rules, while defense officials argue for maintaining discipline and order.