Kid Rock and Donald Trump’s yearslong friendship explained

When Kid Rock takes the stage Sunday at Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again Rally in Washington, DC, he’ll also mark nearly a decade of friendship with the president-elect.  

The news that Rock — born Robert James Ritchie — would be performing at the concert on the eve of Trump’s inauguration was not surprising. The “Cowboy” musician, 54, has been one of Trump’s most effusive and at times rabid supporters since the reality TV star-turned-politician won the presidential election in 2016.

Before the Republican primaries had even kicked off that year, Rock voiced his support for the former “Apprentice” host, 78.

“I’m digging Donald Trump,” he told Rolling Stone at the time. “My feeling: Let the business guy run it like a business. And his campaign has been entertaining as s–t.”

However, the pair wouldn’t meet in person until April 2017 after Trump’s electoral victory. And it was all thanks to Sarah Palin, 60, who brought Rock along with another conservative entertainer, Ted Nugent, 76, on a trip to the White House. 

“President Trump’s invitation for dinner included bringing a couple of friends. Asked why I invited Kid Rock and Ted Nugent, I joked, ‘Because Jesus was booked,’” Palin wrote in a post on her website after the visit, per the New York Times.

“We ended up becoming buddies,” Kid Rock said of their meeting while speaking with Tucker Carlson on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” in 2022. “[We] spend a lot of time [together] at the golf course now. It’s really weird to get phone calls from him and stuff. It’s kind of mind-blowing.”

Rock also told Carlson that Trump had asked him for advice on foreign policy during his time in the White House.

Their friendship continued after Trump left 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. They attended UFC fights together in both 2023 and 2024.

Rock has performed at several Trump events since they became pals, including the Republican National Convention this past July.

In his nomination acceptance speech, Trump said the “Bawitdaba” musician called him and asked him if he could be a part of the convention.

“He became a friend of mine over the last ten years, and he’s amazing,” Trump told the crowd. “Everyone loves him. I didn’t even know how big he was.”

When the Detroit rocker introduced the president-elect at the National Guard Association of the United States’ 146th General Conference on Aug. 26, Trump revealed that he calls Rock “Bob.”

“He’s a great guy and a talented one and it’s an honor to be with all of you incredible patriots,” he said.

In May, Rock told Rolling Stone that he was proud of his relationship with Trump, who he said often calls him to chat.

“[He’s] one of my besties,” Rock added.