LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled from the air “indefinitely,” California Governor Gavin Newsom stirred up controversy on Friday, September 19, by announcing he would also “indefinitely suspend” Kid Rock from performing anywhere in the state — slamming the musician’s work as “horrific.”
This isn’t the first time Newsom and Kid Rock — a vocal supporter of Donald Trump — have clashed publicly. The two have exchanged jabs online before, and their feud appears to be escalating.
BECAUSE OF HIS HORRIFIC MUSIC, CALIFORNIA WILL INDEFINITELY SUSPEND KID ROCK FROM PERFORMING IN THE GOLDEN STATE. YOU’RE WELCOME! — GCN
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 20, 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom escalated his ongoing feud with Kid Rock by posting a bold message on X, formerly Twitter. In an all-caps statement, Newsom wrote, “Because of his horrific music, California will indefinitely suspend Kid Rock from performing in this golden state. You’re welcome! — GCN.”
As of now, Kid Rock has not issued any public response to Newsom’s remarks.
What’s interesting is that Newsom’s post feels like a dig at the recent indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which happened after Kimmel made some controversial comments about the motives behind the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.
An ABC spokesperson confirmed that the show would be “preempted indefinitely.”
After Kimmel’s remarks, Brendan Carr, the head of the FCC, threatened to pull the licenses of ABC affiliates that aired the show — a move that many Democrats and free speech advocates slammed as government overreach.
Newsom’s call-out of Kid Rock’s “suspension” seems to be another shot at the Trump administration, since Kid Rock is a well-known Trump supporter.
The back-and-forth between Newsom and Kid Rock isn’t new either. Just last month, Newsom’s office shared an AI-generated picture of Kid Rock with the caption, “Kid Rock wants you to support Gavin Newsom.”
I ACCEPT! — GCN pic.twitter.com/DLWF65DraJ
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 18, 2025
Unsurprisingly, Kid Rock wasn’t having it. He reshared the post and fired back with, “The only support Gavin Newscum will ever get out of me is from DEEZ NUTZ.”
The only support Gavin Newscum will ever get out of me is from DEEZ NUTZ https://t.co/H67yDceIpf
— KidRock (@KidRock) August 19, 2025
After that, Newsom shot back with his own all-caps message, bluntly stating, “I HATE KID ROCK !!! — GCN.”
I HATE KID ROCK !!! — GCN
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 19, 2025
Additionally, the account posted a follow-up message, imitating a style often seen from Trump, saying, “Has Anyone Noticed that since I said ‘I hate Kid Rock’ He’s no longer ‘hot?’ — GCN.”
HAS ANYONE NOTICED THAT SINCE I SAID “I HATE KID ROCK” HE’S NO LONGER ‘HOT?’ — GCN
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 20, 2025
Kid Rock also performed at the 2024 Republican National Convention, showing his strong ties to the party.
Then, in June 2025, the President gave a shoutout to Kid Rock’s new restaurant, The Detroit Cowboy, which has the catchy slogan: “Go where you’re celebrated, not tolerated.”
“Congrats to my friend Kid Rock (I call him Bob!) on the grand opening of his new Nashville spot, ‘The Detroit Cowboy.’ I’ve heard it’s a very friendly MAGA place, and I’m looking forward to visiting sometime soon,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Gavin Newsom quickly became the target of internet trolls after his post about “indefinitely” suspending Kid Rock from performing in California, calling the musician’s work “horrific.”
It seems some people took his joke a bit too seriously and fired back with sharp criticism.
user on X wrote, “BECAUSE OF HIS HORRIBLE PERFORMANCE AS GOVERNOR, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON’T WANT GAVIN NEWSOM TO BE PRESIDENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.” Another added, “You could at least try to be funny.”
BECAUSE OF HIS HORRIBLE PERFORMANCE AS GOVERNOR, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON’T WANT GAVIN NEWSOM TO BE PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.— The 🐰🕳️ (@TheHoleTweet) September 20, 2025
You could at least try to be funny.
— 𝗥⃫⃥⃞ 𝗲⃫⃥⃞ 𝗱⃫⃥⃞ 𝗮⃫⃥⃞ 𝗰⃫⃥⃞ 𝘁⃫⃥⃞ 𝗲⃫⃥⃞ 𝗱⃫⃥⃞ (@xsyntryk1) September 20, 2025
One person called out the move by saying, “I thought you all were suddenly for free speech? Actually, I didn’t think that.” Another chimed in, “Uhm, I don’t think you can ban an American from playing in an entire state.”
I thought you all were suddenly for free speech?
Actually I didn’t think that.
— ZuluVox (@ZuluVox) September 20, 2025
Uhm I don’t think you can ban an American from
Playing in an entire state 😂If a venue books him, he plays
— Preston Beltramea (@Prest_on_Time) September 20, 2025
One user also wrote, “I didn’t know elected officials were in the business of telling people what kind of music they’re allowed to listen to. That’s what dictators do.” Another added, “You guys should just secede from the country so we can put up a wall there too.”
I didn’t know ellected officials were in the business of telling people what kind of music they are allowed to listen to. That’s what dictators do
— Avo like the Cado (@avolikecado) September 20, 2025
You guys should just succeed from the country so we can put up a wall there too
— BigBadChadMcLaughlin100.5.9 (@BigBadChadMc100) September 20, 2025
Someone else chimed in with, “Whoever is writing your posts, you should clear it first. This one’s not going to end well for Gavin. Just… wow!”
Who ever is writing your posts, you should clear it first. This post will not end well for Gavin. Just, wow!
— G-Man (@richie17523) September 20, 2025
This article is sourced from MEAWW.
Actually, you can bsn an artist from playing. Just ask N.W.A. What the governor doesn’t realize is all the free publicity he gave Kid Rock for banning his freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Bet on it, K.R.will be back in Cali. Maybe a different governor, but he’ll be back. We have a constitution for a reason.