The past year in politics has been anything but normal, regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum. Two of the more popular candidates during the election (Sanders and Trump) were both radicals and radically different from each other. And regardless of how you feel about the current political climate, most agree that things are far from normal. Need some proof? Think it’s just a phase? Well, Kid Rock could potentially be Senator Rock (good thing The Rock is running for president and not the senate).
The past few weeks has seen Kid Rock drop hints about a potential run for U.S. Senate, most notably when he tweeted a yard sign. “I have had a ton of emails and texts asking me if this website is real…kidrockforsenate.com The answer is an absolute YES,” the tweet read. Skepticism was still present though that this was all merely a marketing stunt, as the link he tweeted simply led to his merchandise store. It is also worth noting that Kid Rock is gearing up for a fall tour, and has recently just dropped two singles from his forthcoming album.
I have had a ton of emails and texts asking me if this website is real… https://t.co/RRVgISDFeq The answer is an absolute YES. pic.twitter.com/uYCUg6mjW1
— Kid Rock (@KidRock) July 12, 2017
While it may be easy and fairly tempting to laugh this all off as a marketing stunt to revitalize a fairly stagnant career (he has only had one single land on the charts in the past four years), or the start of an experiment-gone-wrong, Kid Rock genuinely has a mind for politics. In his native southeast Michigan, Kid Rock has earned the reputation of someone who is involved civically and is a concerned citizen. He has given seven-figure (!) sums to charity and capped concert tickets at $20 so working-class families can afford them. He has also been involved in helping kickstart local business in Detroit and will headline major philanthropic concerts. His first real taste of politics came when Mitt Romney asked for his endorsement during the 2012 presidential race (right before the crucial Michigan primary in 2012). While most celebrity endorsements boil down to charming the celebrity (if they hadn’t already made up their mind), Kid Rock reportedly grilled Romney with several policy questions, then slept on the decision before endorsing the future Republican candidate for president and calling him “the most decent motherf***er I’ve ever met in my life.” If Kid Rock claiming it’s not a marketing scheme doesn’t convince you, then his sincere mind for politics should, and he genuinely believes he’ll win (if he doesn’t beat up women), and several in the political sphere are not writing him off by any means given his incredibly large and devoted following.
Today, Kid Rock released a statement regarding his potential candidacy. As of right now, the singer is still “exploring” a potential run, but further proving his mind for civic engagement, he is organizing a 501 non-profit in the meantime meant to encourage voter registration.
“The one thing I’ve seen over and over is that although people are unhappy with the government, too few are even registered to vote or do anything about it,” he said. “We have over a year left until an actual election, so my first order of business is to get people engaged and registered to vote while continuing to put out my ideas on ways to help working class people in Michigan and America while still calling out these jackass lawyers who call themselves politicians.”
While the move may not necessarily be a marketing stunt, Kid Rock will absolutely reap any potential profits from his run, though he claims it will go to his non-profit. “I absolutely will use this media circus to sell/promote whatever I damn well please,” but he clarifies saying “money rasied at this time through the sale of merchandise associated with this very possible campaign will go towards our ‘register to vote’ efforts.”
In true political fashion, Kid Rock takes a shot at any potential opponents. “One thing is for sure though…the democrats are ‘shattin’ in their pantaloons’ right now…and rightfully so!” He mentions the possibility of a press conference in the next six weeks or so to address the potential run, and if he decides to do it, “it’s game on mthrfkers.”
Stay tuned folks.