In The Know

Trump marks death of Kid Rock’s father

Former President Trump marked the death of the father of musician Kid Rock — a vocal supporter of the former president — in a social media post on Tuesday.

“Bill Ritchie, Sr., the wonderful father of Bob, sometimes referred to as Kid Rock, recently passed away after a long and brave fight with a nasty competitor, cancer. I got to know Bill very well over the last three years, and he was something special, a very successful guy, but family was far more important than that success,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“He was a fabulous father, grandfather, and great grandfather, but also, a man with tremendous vision, talent, and style, and a real character! My condolences to the whole family. Bill will be greatly missed,” he added.

Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, announced his father had died last week.

“My Dad, Bill Ritchie Sr, moved on to be with Jesus yesterday. He was an incredible father, grandfather, great grandfather, and so much more, none shy of being quite the character! Thank you for your condolences in advance. God Bless you and I love you Pop!” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.


The Detroit News reported that Kid Rock’s father, William Ritchie Sr., lived in Royal Oak and Romeo in Michigan with his wife, Susan Ritchie.

Kid Rock had endorsed Trump for the first time in 2016 and had visited the former president in the White House and golfed with him during his time in office. He has participated in political rallies for the former president and released a single in 2022 that attacked President Biden and former chief White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci.