Kid Rock flies to Chicago after a week of military helicopter controversy

Kid Rock flew from Nashville to Chicago Midway International Airport on May 16, 2026, a 68-minute hop in his Bombardier Challenger 600, tail N71KR. The trip comes just days after a photo of his jet, named "American Badass" and featuring a middle-finger graphic on the tail, sparked online backlash over its message and environmental implications, as reported by The Cool Down on May 16.

The same week, Kid Rock faced renewed scrutiny after flying to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on April 27 to ride in an Army Apache helicopter with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, per an Associated Press report. The Pentagon described the flight as part of a community relations event for the Freedom 250 initiative, but critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom's office, questioned the taxpayer cost of the $7,000-per-hour helicopter ride.

This Chicago landing follows a pattern of short hops from Nashville, where Kid Rock has been based in recent days. The flight arrives without a clear public event on the calendar, suggesting a private visit or business meeting in the city.