Kid Rock Interview Sparks Backlash

A new interview with Kid Rock is drawing negative reactions, notably after the longtime rock-and-country singer reportedly pulled out a gun while purportedly intoxicated and also casually used the N-word.

Kid Rock, whose real name is Bob Ritchie, spoke with Rolling Stone's David Peisner at his sprawling Nashville, Tennessee, property about his career and how he "went from America's favorite hard-partying rock star to a MAGA [Make America Great Again] mouthpiece."

The article is based on the evolution of Ritchie's career, spurred by his 1998 album Devil Without a Cause that sold more than 14 million albums and cemented his place across the musical spectrum.

But in recent years he has arguably become known more for his political views, including being one of the first public figures to push for a boycott of Bud Light after the company partnered with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney in 2023—leading to a months-long slump in sales due to backlash from some conservative consumers.

Ritchie, who is also an avid supporter of Donald Trump—described in the interview as "one of his besties"—predicted that the former president and presumptive Republican nominee will win his home state of Michigan this November. Ritchie was among the first celebrities to openly endorse Trump during his 2016 campaign.

One portion of the interview, according to Peisner, involved Ritchie switching his drink of choice from white wine to Jim Beam and Coke. He proceeded to "shout" at Peisner, who claimed that a black handgun was pulled out while Ritchie was seated in a leather chair.

"And I got a f****** god**** gun right here if I need it!" Ritchie yelled, per Peisner. "I got them everywhere!"

Peisner includes the claim that Ritchie, throughout the course of the approximate two-hour interview, also demonized immigrants and at one point exclaimed "9/11!"

Ritchie also purportedly used the N-word countless times during the interview, in reference to what his father said around him earlier in his life—as well as while referencing rappers from Detroit who allegedly told him that Trump is the right person to lead the country.

Newsweek has reached out to Ritchie's manager via social media for comment.

"It's worth mentioning these are not the only times Ritchie drops the N-word during my visit," Peisner writes. "It'd be easy to label this as the rantings of a drunk racist, but as with everything that Ritchie does, it's hard to know how calculated it all is.

"Is he just trying to get a reaction? Is he begging to be pilloried when this story comes out so he can launch into a very public tirade against 'cancel culture'"?

The interview, conducted hours before Ritchie appeared on Fox News' Ingraham Angle hosted by Laura Ingraham while wearing a Bud Light hat that was criticized by the host, has resulted in more criticism of Ritchie.

"You're not gonna believe this, but Kid Rock is a drunk, racist, rich white trash conspiracy theorist who waves guns in people's faces and uses the N-word with alarming regularity," wrote user @TrumpsTaxes on X, formerly Twitter. "In other words he's full MAGA."

"WTF? Kid rock calls Rolling Stone journalist the N-word and pulls out a handgun??? Is this true?" wrote @mjfree.

Another user with the handle @MichellesDude wrote: "#MAGA Are the Dregs of Society, Episode 28,652: Kid Rock gets drunk on Jim Beam during interview, waves a gun around, uses N-word. Total #trash."

"Just a reminder that Kid Rock's dad owned a string of car dealerships in Michigan and he grew up in a very wealthy household," wrote user @EDogtheRed. "Though he acts like he's 'straight out the trailer,' he's really straight out the gated community."

Peisner reported that as the interview concluded and he attempted to leave the property, Ritchie purportedly said in a "whispering" tone: "Would you do me a favor? Just write the most horrific article about me. Do it. It helps me."