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Kid Rock's Restaurant Fears ICE Raid, Urges Undocumented Workers to Leave

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Management at a Nashville restaurant and bar owned by a business associate of Kid Rock reportedly hastily ushered non-citizen employees off the premises, fearing an impending ICE raid. The incident occurred over the weekend at Steve Smith's restaurants, including the Kid Rock-themed Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse, which opened in 2018. The move left the restaurants understaffed, and some employees claimed there was no one in the kitchen to cook the food. This action contradicts Kid Rock's public stance on immigration and his vocal support for President Trump's policies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incident occurred at three Nashville restaurants owned by Steve Smith, including Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse.
  • Management reportedly told non-citizen employees to leave due to fears of an impending ICE raid, citing the need to protect them and the business.
  • The move left the restaurants understaffed, with employees stating there was no one in the kitchen to cook food during the busy Saturday service.
  • Kid Rock, a vocal supporter of President Trump's immigration policies, has a steakhouse named after him that employs undocumented workers, raising questions about his seemingly contradictory views on immigration.
  • The alleged known presence of undocumented workers at the Kid Rock restaurant contrasts with Kid Rock's public statements, where he called immigrants "murderers" and "rapists" in a 2024 Rolling Stone interview.
  • Steve Smith, the owner of the restaurants, is described as a Trump supporter and donor, and the businessman has dined and golfed with Trump.
  • The Kid Rock steakhouse was previously in the headlines in 2020 for failing to comply with Covid guidelines.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 200 arrests were made in a weeklong ICE operation in the area surrounding the Nashville restaurants.
  • Kid Rock & Steve Smith's restaurant employment of undocumented workers raises implications for Trump's goals to crack down on illegal immigration.
  • 2020: Kid Rock steakhouse was cited for failing to comply with Covid guidelines.
  • Kid Rock's public statements on immigration conflict with the reported hiring of undocumented workers at his eponymous restaurant.

Sources:

  • Nashville Scene
  • The Tennessean
  • Rolling Stone
  • Reuters

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