Recently, Trump took to Truth Social to promote Kid Rock’s new restaurant — but questions quickly surfaced about what exactly had gone down before the launch of the self-described “MAGA-friendly” establishment known as The Detroit Cowboy.
There’s probably never been a time when politics and entertainment have been more entangled. President Trump has spent years on the outs with Hollywood, thanks in large part to his, let’s say, colorful public statements. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had his loyalists in the entertainment industry. His latest plug for Kid Rock shows just how messy things can get when that MAGA vibe shift starts turning on its own.
According to The Daily Beast, the post promoting the steakhouse felt oddly personal. Trump even referred to Kid Rock by his rarely used first name, “Bob,” as if we’re all suddenly on a first-name basis now. The post included a link to the restaurant’s website, which — on first glance — suggests a fine-dining experience. You might assume The Detroit Cowboy is in, well, Detroit. But no. It’s named after a Kid Rock song and is actually located in Nashville. Of course it is.
Thank you, Mr. President. Keep kickin’ ass for America, sir!@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/RpOX5SMQPk pic.twitter.com/knyoX6glxD
— KidRock (@KidRock) June 3, 2025
And that’s not even the most absurd name in Kid Rock’s culinary empire. He also owns a second Nashville eatery called Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse — a name that feels like a dare to Yelp reviewers just trying to be taken seriously. But the real story here isn’t the names. It’s that one of these restaurants — despite branding itself as “MAGA-friendly” — has reportedly run into trouble with immigration authorities.
Just a few weeks ago, the first steakhouse was allegedly the target of one of ICE raids. Reports claim that some late-night shift staff were sent home due to their undocumented status, and since then, the restaurant has been struggling to keep up with customers. Kid Rock hopped on X to express support for deporting “illegal immigrants” and was quick to distance himself from the day-to-day operations.
Clearly I do not have anything to do with day to day operations at my Honky Tonk – but it’s good click bait, I get it. That being said I 100% support getting illegal criminals out of our country no matter where they are. I also like President Trump want to speed up the process of… https://t.co/1M0dn8rhLu
— KidRock (@KidRock) May 19, 2025
Kid Rock and Trump have been tight for a while now. He’s gone from performing at campaign rallies to golfing with Trump to playing the role of MAGA’s resident court jester — a title he might not even mind. He once described himself as the guy who just gives Trump “fun calls,” not advice or strategy. Just… vibes.
A steakhouse, of course, is right up Trump’s dietary alley. Kid Rock’s not serving anything daring — just slabs of meat, oversized burgers, and whatever else screams “Iowa State Fair but indoors.” Maybe Trump will show up for a photo op, à la Elon Musk on the White House lawn, complete with a throwback performance of Kid Rock’s hits from 2001.
But the ICE raid throws a spotlight on the irony baked into it all. Trump’s hardline immigration policies are now hitting even his most enthusiastic supporters. If those undocumented workers really were essential to the restaurant’s operation, maybe “Bob” should have at least tried to stick up for them with his “buddy.” But hey — court jesters rarely challenge the king.
