Kid Rock is facing public backlash following a controversial remark made during his October 24th appearance on ‘Jesse Watters Primetime’ on Fox News. While on the program, the rapper-turned-country musician stated that he intended to dress up as “retard” for Halloween, a comment made as he jokingly placed a face mask—associated with COVID-19 precautions—over his mouth.
The remark drew swift condemnation from the Special Olympics, whose Vice Chair and Chief Inspiration Officer Loretta Clairborne issued an open letter to Rock on behalf of the organization. The statement, shared through specialolympics.com, urged the musician to reflect on the harm caused and use his platform responsibly.
Clairborne wrote:
“I watched with deep concern your recent appearance on Fox News with Jesse Watters, where you mentioned you were going to be a ‘retard’ for Halloween. The R-word deeply demeans and harms people with intellectual disabilities. I’m writing to you personally with an urgent request: please acknowledge the hurt caused and use this moment to stand with us in rejecting that word and the prejudice it represents.”
She continued by emphasizing how damaging such language remains, especially when used by public figures with broad influence:
“Language plays a crucial role in that fight. Words like ‘retarded’ and ‘retard’ have a long, painful history of being used to belittle and dehumanize. When anyone, especially someone in the public eye, uses them, it reopens wounds that so many of us have worked so hard to heal.”
Clairborne also invited Kid Rock to personally engage with the organization’s “Spread the Word” campaign, which aims to eliminate the casual use of the slur and replace it with messages of inclusion and respect.
As of press time, Kid Rock has not publicly responded to the letter or the growing criticism.
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18 Comments
Special Olympics Condemns KID ROCK for Using the R-Word During Fox News Appearance
https://springgreen-caribou-353428.hostingersite.com/kid-rock-special-olympics-r-word-fox-news/
Kid rock making the mosh networks radar. That’s r word enough
One of dozens of reasons that he deserves to be looked down upon.
Who?
Free speech means we can say whatever the fuck we want
That doesn’t mean freedom of consequence asshole
Special Olympics should invite Kid Rock to compete in their Olympics. He’s clearly one of them.
Jorge Barba you just want to see him there.
They’re all special anyway so who cares😂they think boogers taste good too
He thought because he is one its ok to say it.
Coming from a man that calls him self kid
How big of a peice of shit do you have to be
Cody Johnson piece*
Tyler Lamb I’m sorry, I’m a piece of shit
Cody Johnson that’s real
But he is a retard so he can say it right
But he’s allowed to say it because he’s mentally challenged…. right?
What controversy, only a fucking retard would care. And by retard i mean everyone that claims to be mad because i know a lot of special needs people and in the history of the word literally nobody calls them retards. Not one. Anyone with a brain knows exactly what he meant. But snowflakes….