In a recent sit-down with the Detroit Free Press, Ted Nugent tackled head-on the accusations of racism lobbed at him and fellow musician Kid Rock following their high-profile dinner with President Donald Trump at the White House. The fiery singer didn’t mince words, pushing back against the criticism with a firm stance.
“He’s not a racist. I’m not a racist. Sarah Palin’s not a racist. Kid Rock’s not a racist,” Nugent declared when the interviewer brought up the backlash tied to his ties with Trump. He challenged his detractors to bring something concrete to the table, saying, “If you’re going to criticize me, you’ve got to be honest. Come up with something that’s true.”
Nugent doubled down, emphasizing the character of those in the crosshairs alongside him. “So when they level those kinds of accusations, I tell you: I’ve known Sarah Palin a long time. I know Bob. I know President Trump. It rolls off our backs, but we are hurt that such dishonesty exists. If you want to have a debate, we’ve got to be honest,” he added, framing the attacks as baseless and frustrating.
The controversy traces back to April 2017, when Nugent, Kid Rock, and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin made a visit to the White House, as reported by NPR. The trio, all vocal Trump supporters from the early days of his campaign, joined the president for dinner and a quick photo op in the Oval Office. Their support wasn’t new—they’d been spotted at rallies before Trump’s election, cheering on his bid for the presidency.
While the White House kept visitor logs under wraps, Palin took to social media to share glimpses of the night. “A great night at the White House. Thank you to President Trump for the invite!” she posted, alongside snapshots of the group. One photo stood out: the crew posing beneath a portrait of Hillary Clinton, a move that many saw as a pointed dig at the former Secretary of State. Nugent’s wife, Shemane, and Kid Rock’s then-fiancée, Audrey, rounded out the party, adding to the evening’s buzz.
For Nugent, the accusations of racism are a tired refrain, one he’s quick to dismiss with a call for truth over headlines. Whether the critics will take up his challenge for an honest debate remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: he’s not backing down anytime soon.
