Kid Rock’s Politics: Everything You Need to Know
Republican rocker Kid Rock coyly teased a run for the United States Senate on his social media this week. Though his formal candidacy is uncertain, in the age of a Trump presidency, officials – including Senator Elizabeth Warren – are taking the rocker at his word.
I have had a ton of emails and texts asking me if this website is real… https://t.co/RRVgISDFeq The answer is an absolute YES. pic.twitter.com/uYCUg6mjW1
— Kid Rock (@KidRock) July 12, 2017
Stay tuned, I will have a major announcement in the near future – Kid Rock
— Kid Rock (@KidRock) July 12, 2017
Rock (born Robert James Ritchie) was an early supporter of President Trump‘s, and previously supported GOP candidate Mitt Romney. But the Michigan native (who splits his time in Nashville, Tennessee), became politicized after Detroit filed for bankruptcy four years ago.
That summer, in August 2013, CBS reported that Rock gave roughly $1 million to Detroit-based charities that included $250,000 for an interactive music lab at the Detroit Historical Museum, ended a strike by the Detroit Symphony and funded a Made in Detroit Endowed Scholarship at Wayne State University.
“There’s no place on earth, no city, with more style than Detroit city. Hands down, that’s a fact … you’ve got a blank canvas here,” Rock said in an interview at the time on CNBC. Rock didn’t hint about a political run then, but appeared invested in the future of the city. Now, it appears, Rock is serious about tossing his trucker hat in the next senate race.
Here are some of Rock’s political views in the last decade, in his own words:
On Gun Control
“Getting rid of them is not the answer. The guy who got Osama bin Laden was on Fox News. His daddy raised him in Montana, hunting, fishing. He got it from hunting. What that kid knows is fucking valuable. Shooting 200 yards is hard. To be able to make 1,000-yard shots? I’m glad we have some people like that on our side.” – Rolling Stone, February 2015
On Gay Marriage and Abortion
“I am definitely a Republican on fiscal issues and the military, but I lean to the middle on social issues. I am no fan of abortion, but it’s not up to a man to tell a woman what to do. As an ordained minister I don’t look forward to marrying gay people, but I’m not opposed to it.” – The Guardian, January 2015
On Freedom of Speech
“Rap-rock was what people wanted at the time, and they still love those songs at shows. But it turned into a lot of bullshit and it turned out to be pretty gay … If someone says you can’t say ‘gay’ like that you tell them to go fuck themselves. You’re not going to get anything politically correct out of me.” – The Guardian, January 2015
On His Wealth
“I’m not just wealthy, I’m loaded. I can say that because I’m not embarrassed – I’ve made a fuck-ton of money, but I’ve never made a dishonest dollar. I try to do right by the people around me.” – The Guardian, January 2015
On Barack Obama’s Win in 2008
“I’m patriotic so I’m just happy the people’s voice has been heard. I will support him until I have reason not to. It’s a great thing for black people. Black people were kind to me growing up and taught me hip-hop and the blues, so it’s good the U.S. has proved it’s not as racist as it’s sometimes portrayed.” – Metro, November 2008
On Choosing to Endorse Mitt Romney in 2012
“[I wanted to make sure he’s not] just a rich guy who wanted to become president to out-do [his] dad. I know what it’s like to want to be better than your father. Of course, I’m getting these ‘I really want to help America [answers]’ and I said, ‘Cut the shit, this is my living room; this isn’t going to leave here.'” – Howard Stern, November 2012
On Supporting Donald Trump in 2016
“I’m digging Trump. I feel like a lot of people, whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, feel like if you get Hillary or Bernie, or you get Rubio or Cruz or whoever, there’s going to be the same shit. Has that much fucking changed when anyone’s in office, whether it’s been a Republican or a Democrat in office, in our lifetime, anyway? I haven’t really seen this big, like, fucking change. Obviously some people fucked up. [Laughs] That’s a long debate. My feeling: let the motherfucking business guy run it like a fucking business. And his campaign has been entertaining as shit.” – Rolling Stone, February 2016
On His View of Politics in General
“If people vote the other way, then I’ll support our president, whoever’s elected. More importantly, somebody’s just gotta smack the fuck out of Congress and get them to start working together, and put this bullshit aside and get this country back on track.” – Billboard, November 2012