Pete Hegseth Confirms Helicopter Pilots Who Flew Over Kid Rock’s ‘Southern White House’ Will Face ‘No Punishment’: ‘Carry On, Patriots’

War Secretary Pete Hegseth has lifted a suspension that was handed down to several U.S. Army flight crew members who flew an Apache helicopter down low over musician Kid Rock's "Southern White House," while confirming that they will face "no punishment" for their actions.

The suspension had been issued soon after Kid Rock, 55, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, shared video footage on March 28 of one of the aircraft hovering over his swimming pool at his Tennessee home, while he waved, fist pumped, and saluted.

Speaking to Politico, Army spokesperson Major Montrell Russell, said in a statement that an administrative review had been launched to "assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements," noting that "appropriate action" will be taken if any violations are found to have taken place.

However, in a post shared to his X account on March 31, Hegseth, 45, praised the crew members as "patriots," while thanking Kid Rock for posting the footage. He then confirmed that he had lifted the suspension against those involved.

"Thank you Kid Rock," he wrote. "U.S. Army pilots suspension lifted. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots."

When Kid Rock was asked about the incident, he cited his close friendship with President Donald Trump, telling local news outlet WKRN that he was not concerned about the crew facing any real repercussions.

"I think they're gonna be all right," he said. "My buddy is commander in chief. I mean, what are they looking into? They stopped seconds … a minute?"

The musician, whose property is located just a few miles north of downtown Nashville, added that he routinely greets helicopters that are training in the local area.

"It was pretty cool they stopped right there," he went on. "I wasn't expecting any of that, but I thought it was pretty neat."

Reports had surfaced earlier in the day that the same two helicopters seen in Kid Rock's footage had also flown over a "No Kings" protest that was being held in the city, prompting the Army to issue a statement denying that the aircrafts' presence in the area was in any way related to the march.

However, the spokesperson noted that the behavior of the aircraft seen in the video was being examined by senior officials, stating: "The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell maintain strict standards for aviation safety, professionalism and adherence to established flight regulations. We take all concerns regarding aircraft operations and their impact on the surrounding community seriously."

"These helicopters were flying a route in the Nashville vicinity for training purposes. Any association with the No Kings Rally also happening in Nashville that day is entirely coincidental."

Kid Rock shared two video clips of the helicopters on his social media accounts, the first of which showed him standing outside his home—which was built to look just like the White House—as a helicopter hovers down low next to his infinity pool, mere feet from where the rocker stood.

He could then be seen saluting the helicopter and clapping, before it flew off into the distance.

In the second video, posted minutes later, a helicopter is seen in the same position, with Kid Rock this time pumping his fist in the air and pointing at the Army aircraft as someone behind him films the entire scene. It's unclear whether the helicopter in the second clip is the same that featured in the first.

However, as the second clip comes to an end, another helicopter can be seen flying past the property at a greater height.

In his X post featuring the videos, Kid Rock took aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, writing: "This is a level of respect that s--- for brains Governor of California will never know. "God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her."

Kid Rock's Tennessee home, which he refers to as the "Southern White House" was built to mirror 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, and took around two decades to complete.

Perched atop a hill in the Brick Church Bellshire suburb of Nashville, the property spans an impressive 27,000 square feet and is packed to the brim with unique amenities, including a golden urinal, which the rocker proudly showcased during a 2022 interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

There is also a church, a barber shop, and even a private gas station located on the property, which features two additional structures that flank the "Southern White House," according to images of the dwelling.

The videos posted by Kid Rock show that he has also installed a miniature Statue of Liberty overlooking his pool, while a large sign reading "Southern White House" is hung inside the covered patio area, immediately outside the back entrance to the dwelling.

When Carlson toured the property in 2022, the dwelling was still undergoing construction, with Kid Rock noting to the Fox News host that he "wrote a check" for the land immediately after seeing it—revealing that the incredible views of Nashville were what really sold him on the parcel.

"I love architecture and interior design, and I've been dreaming this up for 20 years," the musician said at the time. "You've got to leave your mark somehow, right?"

After Carlson branded the unfinished property "insane," Kid Rock went on: "Yep, it's a 7-mile shot directly to downtown Nashville. When we walked up to get this property, we got our truck stuck, got ticks all over us and [my friend] said let's get out of here."

But after walking to the spot that is now occupied by his back patio, Kid Rock admitted there was no turning back.

"We get to here, and I'm like, 'Write them a check,'" he recalled.

After his property came together, Kid Rock began adding some additional design details—including an ornate antique bed that was sourced for him by fellow musician Zac Brown, whom he noted is a "fan of antiquing."

Brown also added another rather impressive flourish to the dwelling in the form of an enormous brass eagle that is now perched over the home's main entryway, although Kid Rock revealed that he had the accessory plated in 24-karat gold after it was gifted to him.

Records show that Kid Rock purchased a 68-acre plot of land on which his property was constructed for the bargain price of $136,000 in 2002—although it is now believed to be worth much more.

A few years before that interview took place, the musician began offloading multiple other properties in his portfolio, including a mansion in Detroit and a home in Malibu, revealing to Carlson in 2022 that he had been living in a double-wide trailer before moving into his "Southern White House."