Kid Rock Outraged at Media for Not Covering His Dinner With Donald Trump & Bill Maher, Nashville
(Photo via Molly Riley/White House/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

Kid Rock Addresses Immigration Raid At His Nashville Bar

Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse in Nashville closed abruptly on May 10, with multiple reports suggesing a potential ICE raid prompted the move.

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The closure happened around 9:30 p.m. on a busy Saturday night. Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, responded on X on May 19. He distanced himself from daily operations.

"I don't handle day-to-day at my Honky Tonk," he wrote, calling a Daily Mail post "click bait."

He supports removing "illegal criminals" and streamlining legal immigration. So Kid Rock aligns with President Donald Trump's policies.

"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," he posted on social media. "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 getting GREAT immigrants into our country - LEGALLY!

"It's that simple folks. But the below is not a juicy enough headline to get clicks and views.. in this day and age the truth often is not."

Enforcement Hits Nashville

The Nashville Scene reported a manager told employees without legal status to leave. This cleared the kitchen. Steve Smith, a Trump supporter, owns the bar. He also owns Rippy's and Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.

Other venues, like The Diner and Honky Tonk Central, issued similar warnings. All businesses resumed normal hours by Sunday.

Staffing shortages persisted, worsening existing challenges. Since January 2025, ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol conducted 500 traffic stops by May 8. The Nashville Banner reported nearly 200 arrests -- with half of those detained facing criminal charges.

Thirty-one had been deported before and re-entered illegally. No Nashville businesses face public accusations of hiring undocumented workers.

Kid Rock's Nashville Influence

Kid Rock lives in Nashville and even built a replica White House near downtown. The self-taught musician blends hip-hop, country, and rock, and his 1998 album Devil Without a Cause sold 14 million copies.

Hits like "Cowboy," "Picture," and "All Summer Long" defined his career. His Honky Tonk ownership reflects his bold persona. The closure highlights tensions in Nashville's entertainment district.

Immigration enforcement continues to challenge local businesses. Staffing shortages lingered into Sunday at some venues. The incident shows the complex balance of politics and business in Nashville.