Kid Rock kicked off his Freedom 250 Tour with a bang, debuting a pre-recorded video featuring Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that has sparked intense online debate.
The video, played at the tour's opening show in Dallas Friday night, shows the rocker and Hegseth trading fist bumps before the secretary offers Kid Rock a ride in a Department of War helicopter to the concert. The footage cuts to dramatic aerial shots of the chopper, with Kid Rock climbing into the gunner's seat — a clear nod to patriotic imagery.
Part of the material was filmed earlier this week when Kid Rock took an actual flight in a military helicopter for America's 250th birthday celebrations. The musician plans to use the video as a recurring intro for his tour.
Critics have taken to social media to question the use of taxpayer-funded military assets for what appears to be a promotional video. Supporters argue it's a standard recruitment-focused advertisement, similar to other DoW media campaigns.
However, the timing has proven awkward given recent reports of the department's lavish spending — including a widely criticized $7 million lobster bill that made headlines last month.