Kid Rock Sparks Controversy with Mask Comments During Interview

During a recent interview on Fox News, musician Kid Rock ignited controversy with remarks about individuals who wear face masks. The conversation, hosted by Jesse Watters, revolved around Halloween costumes. When Watters mentioned his family’s plans to dress as characters from “Scooby-Doo,” Kid Rock pulled out a face mask, put it on, and dramatically removed it while asking Watters, “Guess what I’m going to be?” Watters quipped back, suggesting he would portray Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Kid Rock then responded with a derogatory term for those who wear masks, clearly targeting individuals who use them as protection against respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19.

The remarks are not new for Kid Rock, who has consistently voiced strong opinions against mask mandates. In his 2022 song “We The People,” he included a lyric that criticized mask-wearing, stating, “Wear your mask, take your pills / Now a whole generation’s mentally ill.” Furthermore, leading up to his “Bad Reputation” tour in 2022, he declared he would not perform in cities with mask or vaccine mandates, leading to the cancellation of several shows.

Interestingly, Kid Rock’s stance on masks has shifted over time. In April 2020, he shared a photo on social media wearing a mask he made himself, encouraging others to “Stay home. Stay safe. And if you must go out, wear a mask.” This message came during the early days of the pandemic when public health guidelines were urging mask usage to mitigate the spread of the virus.

In contrast to his earlier views, by June 2020, his Nashville establishment, Kid Rock’s Big A– Honky Tonk and Rock n’ Roll Steakhouse, was cited for violating local coronavirus safety orders after images surfaced of patrons inside the venue without masks, packed closely together.

Kid Rock’s recent comments have drawn significant backlash from public health advocates and individuals who support mask-wearing as a crucial measure to combat the ongoing pandemic. As debates about personal freedoms and public health continue, his remarks serve as a reminder of the polarizing opinions surrounding COVID-19 safety protocols.