Gavin Newsom Calls Out Kid Rock’s $100M Helicopter Joyride With War Secretary Pete Hegseth

California Governor Gavin Newsom did not hold back in criticizing Kid Rock after reports surfaced that the musician enjoyed a helicopter ride with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The trip, which reportedly cost taxpayers $100 million, involved two Apache helicopters and sparked outrage over the misuse of military assets.

Newsom’s press office took to X (formerly Twitter) on April 27 to demand answers: “Why are taxpayers paying to fly Kid Rock around on $100 million helicopters?” The governor’s pointed question highlighted growing concerns about military resources being diverted for non-official purposes.

The story broke thanks to Drop Site News co-founder Ryan Grim, who reported that Kid Rock flew into Fort Belvoir on his private jet before taking a “joy ride” in two Apache helicopters alongside Hegseth. Multiple Army sources confirmed the flight, and flight data backed up the claim. Grim added that despite Apache helicopters requiring a two-man crew, Hegseth and Kid Rock opted to fly with a single pilot so they could each ride “shotgun.” The presence of Apache helicopters at Fort Belvoir also raised eyebrows, as the Virginia base does not typically house these aircraft.

This alleged joyride followed a recent incident where two AH-64 Apache helicopters hovered above Kid Rock’s home. The singer posted footage on Instagram, captioning it as a “level of respect that s*** for brains Governor of California will never know,” invoking patriotic rhetoric and honoring military sacrifice.

The Army confirmed that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade conducted a flight near Nashville that attracted media attention. They stated they were reviewing the mission for compliance with FAA regulations, aviation safety, and approval protocols.

This episode fits a troubling pattern of Trump-era officials and their allies using government resources for personal or political favors, blurring lines between official duties and self-serving displays of power. Newsom’s sharp rebuke underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability in how taxpayer money funds military operations — not celebrity joyrides.