Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Kid Rock Calls Trump Friendship a Front-Row Seat to ‘Greatest S— Show on Earth’

Kid Rock Aviano 2
Photo by U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

The singer says late-night calls to the president are one of his favorite ‘drinking tricks.'

Kid Rock opened up about his friendship with President Donald Trump in a recent interview with Sky News Australia, describing late-night phone calls, casual conversation, and what he called a front-row seat to the ‘greatest s— show on Earth.' The singer, born Bob Richie, framed the relationship as one built on mutual availability and genuine affection rather than political strategy.

Late-Night Calls and ‘Bulls—‘ Sessions

Kid Rock told Sky News Australia that calling Trump in the late hours of a Friday or Saturday night has become something of a party trick. ‘It's one of my late-night drinking tricks,' he said. ‘I know when to get him. And he's so gracious, he always picks up, or he'll call and check in, just to shoot the s— most of the time.'

Rock was clear that the conversations are social rather than advisory. ‘He's not calling me, like, “Hey, what should we do in Iran, Bob?” I don't get those calls,' he said, describing the typical scenario as sitting around with beers around 11 or midnight, knowing Trump is still awake. ‘He sleeps like me, he sleeps like five hours,' Rock noted.

The singer described the novelty of pulling out the stunt in front of friends: ‘And I'll be like, “Hey, let's call the president and bulls—!” And people will be like, “What?” And he'll be like, “Hey, Bob, what's up?”‘ Rock summed up the experience simply: ‘I enjoy the hell out of hanging out with him and talking with him and just having a front-row seat to the greatest s— show on Earth!'

Rock Defends Trump's Business Dealings While in Office

Beyond the personal anecdotes, Rock used the interview to push back against criticism of Trump profiting from the presidency. He framed it as a natural extension of Trump's identity as a businessman. ‘He's smart. He did that before he was president,' Rock said, adding that he believes Trump's core motivation remains the country itself.

‘I know his heart and soul, his concern is for this country, period. This country first,' Rock said. ‘And I think every leader in any country should be that for their country.'

Rock, a longtime and vocal Trump supporter, said the thing people most often miss about the president is a consistent America-first orientation, though he did not elaborate on what that means in policy terms. ‘It kills me, the people that don't see that,' he said.

What we know

  • Kid Rock gave the interview to Sky News Australia, where he discussed his personal friendship with President Trump.
  • Kid Rock's real name is Bob Richie, which is how Trump addresses him in their calls.
  • Rock described calling Trump around 11 or midnight on Friday or Saturday nights for casual conversation.
  • Rock said Trump ‘always picks up' or calls back, and that the conversations are social rather than policy-related.
  • Rock defended Trump making money while president, calling him a businessman who ‘did that before he was president.'
  • Rock described his front-row view of the Trump presidency as ‘the greatest s— show on Earth' and said he enjoys it.

The take

Kid Rock's public embrace of Trump is nothing new. He has been one of the most visible celebrity supporters in Trump's orbit since at least the 2016 campaign, attending White House events and floating (briefly and not seriously) a Senate run in Michigan around that same period. What makes this Sky News Australia interview notable is the candor of the framing. Rock is not positioning himself as a policy voice or a surrogate; he is describing the relationship in purely personal, almost fraternal terms, the late-night calls, the casual profanity, the shared sleep schedules. That kind of access-as-entertainment framing is consistent with how Rock has always operated publicly, leaning into the outlaw persona while making clear he moves in powerful circles. For classic rock fans who have followed Rock since his Detroit rap-metal crossover days in the late 1990s, the Trump alignment has been a defining and divisive chapter. His core audience skews toward the same working-class Midwest demographic that has been central to Trump's political coalition, and Rock has leaned into that overlap deliberately. Whether the Sky News Australia platform was chosen to reach an international audience skeptical of Trump, or simply because the interview opportunity arose, is not clear from the available reporting.

Why it matters

For classic rock and mainstream rock audiences, Kid Rock occupies a complicated space: a genuine commercial force in the late 1990s and 2000s who has since become as well known for his politics as his music. His willingness to describe the Trump presidency in colorful, unfiltered terms keeps him in the cultural conversation even during periods of musical inactivity. The interview is a reminder that celebrity proximity to political power remains a story in itself, and that Rock has made that proximity a central part of his public identity.

What's next

No upcoming music releases, tour dates, or scheduled public appearances by Kid Rock were mentioned in the source reporting. The Sky News Australia interview is the primary item on record.

Frequently asked questions

What did Kid Rock say about calling President Trump?

Rock described calling Trump around 11 or midnight on weekends as one of his ‘late-night drinking tricks,' saying Trump almost always picks up or calls back for casual conversation.

What is Kid Rock's real name?

Kid Rock's real name is Bob Richie, which is how Trump refers to him during their calls.

What did Kid Rock say about Trump making money while president?

Rock defended it, saying Trump is a businessman who operated that way before taking office and that his core concern remains the country.

Where did Kid Rock give this interview?

Kid Rock gave the interview to Sky News Australia.

What did Kid Rock mean by ‘greatest s— show on Earth'?

Rock used the phrase to describe having a front-row seat to the Trump presidency, framing it as something he genuinely enjoys rather than a criticism.

Related coverage

Related Stories

How Michael Anthony Went from Backyard Parties to Van Halen

Michael Anthony recalls first seeing Van Halen at a high school carnival, borrowing their PA, and auditioning for Eddie and Alex in his own words from a 1995

Watch: Dave Mustaine Cusses Out Finnish Journalist Over Hetfield Fight Question

Dave Mustaine called out a Finnish journalist mid-show in Helsinki after the reporter asked who would win in a fight between Mustaine and James Hetfield.

Hollywood Vampires Announce Live Album From 2018 Montreux Jazz Festival Show

Hollywood Vampires announce ‘At Montreux Jazz Festival,’ a live album from their 2018 performance, featuring an unreleased cover of Motörhead’s ‘Ace Of Spades.’

Mick Jagger Says Paul McCartney Nailed ‘Foreign Tongues’ Bass Part in 10 Minutes

Mick Jagger tells NME it was ‘very easy’ working with Paul McCartney on ‘Covered In You’ from the Rolling Stones’ upcoming album ‘Foreign Tongues’, due July 10.

Rush Postpones Two Fort Worth Shows After Geddy Lee Falls Ill

Rush has postponed two Dickies Arena shows in Fort Worth after Geddy Lee was diagnosed with laryngitis and bronchitis. New dates are July 11 and July 13.

Metallica Defies Principality Stadium Ban, Performs Tom Jones’ ‘Delilah’ in Cardiff

Metallica defied a standing ban at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium by performing Tom Jones’ ‘Delilah’ during their M72 World Tour stop in Wales.

Peter Gabriel Releases ‘I Belong to the Sky,’ Seventh Track from Upcoming Album o/i

Peter Gabriel has released ‘I Belong to the Sky,’ the seventh full-moon single from his upcoming album o/i, featuring drummer Manu Katché and artwork by

Bruce Springsteen Eulogizes Clive Davis: ‘He Changed My Life Forever’

Bruce Springsteen delivered a moving eulogy at Clive Davis’s New York funeral, recalling how the legendary executive signed him to Columbia Records in 1972.

Bob Britt Talks About Why He Quit Dylan’s Band as Joel Paterson Steps In

Guitarist Bob Britt has quit Bob Dylan’s Long Hot Summer Tour ’26 mid-run, saying he left of his own accord. Joel Paterson has been recruited to fill the