Former president praises grand opening of The Detroit Cowboy amid controversy over previous ICE raid incident
Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Monday to enthusiastically back Kid Rock’s newest restaurant venture, The Detroit Cowboy, describing the Nashville-based eatery as a “very friendly MAGA establishment.” The endorsement comes just days after controversy swirled around one of the musician’s earlier establishments over allegations of evading an immigration enforcement raid.
“Congratulations to my friend, Kid Rock (I call him Bob!) on the Grand Opening of his new Nashville restaurant, ‘The Detroit Cowboy,’” Trump wrote. “I hear it is a very friendly MAGA establishment, and I look forward to going there sometime soon!”
The Detroit Cowboy offers an upscale menu featuring seafood, chops, and other fine dining fare, including items reportedly endorsed by Trump himself. Signature dishes include scallops, mussels, and lobster.
Kid Rock responds with signature bravado
The musician, born Bob Ritchie, responded to Trump’s post with characteristic flair, saying, “Keep kickin’ a– for America, sir!” He has long been a vocal supporter of the former president, having even performed at political rallies and appeared at the White House.
The Detroit Cowboy is Kid Rock’s latest addition to his growing hospitality portfolio. He previously launched Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse in Nashville in 2018, which quickly became a popular nightlife destination.
ICE raid rumours cloud legacy of first restaurant
Despite the celebratory tone surrounding the new restaurant’s opening, Kid Rock’s steakhouse was recently under scrutiny after reports surfaced that it had allegedly sent employees home to avoid a potential raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Nashville Scene reported last month that undocumented staff were employed in the kitchen and were dismissed preemptively amid rumours of immigration enforcement action.
Responding to the controversy on X (formerly Twitter), Kid Rock distanced himself from the operational decisions, stating, “I had no involvement with the day-to-day operations of the steakhouse.”
Nevertheless, he doubled down on his political stance, writing, “That being said, I 100% support getting illegal criminals out of our country no matter where they are.” He added, “I also, like President Trump, want to speed up the process of getting GREAT immigrants into our country – LEGALLY! It’s that simple folks.”
A celebrity-political alliance built on golf and politics
Trump and Kid Rock have maintained a public friendship since meeting in 2017, frequently playing golf together and sharing public support. The musician has become a staple figure in pro-Trump circles, blending politics with entertainment and attracting a devoted base of MAGA loyalists.
Last week, The Detroit Cowboy welcomed another high-profile conservative figure — Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders — further reinforcing the venue’s identity as a Republican-friendly hotspot.
As The Detroit Cowboy settles into Nashville’s bustling dining scene, its MAGA-aligned branding and controversial backstory are likely to keep it in the political spotlight, making it more than just a restaurant but a cultural flashpoint in the ongoing battle over immigration, celebrity influence, and America’s political divide.
