Kid Rock slammed after using R-word on live TV

Kid Rock has found himself at the centre of widespread criticism after making a disturbing remark during a live Fox News appearance. The musician appeared on Jesse Watters Primetime on October 24 and told viewers he planned to dress up as “retard” for Halloween, a statement that immediately triggered outrage online and from disability advocacy groups.

The comment drew an especially strong response from Loretta Clairborne, Vice Chair of the Special Olympics and one of the organisation’s most respected voices. In an open letter posted on the organisation’s website, she urged the artist to reflect on the harm caused by his words and to use his platform more responsibly. “The R-word deeply demeans and harms people with intellectual disabilities,” she wrote, adding that such language “undermines the recognition of our full humanity.”

Clairborne’s statement resonated with thousands of advocates who have long campaigned against casual use of slurs targeting people with disabilities. The Special Olympics’ Spread the Word campaign, which she referenced in her message, has been working for over a decade to replace derogatory speech with messages of respect and inclusion.

Social media users amplified the backlash, calling Rock’s comments “cruel,” “outdated,” and “disgusting.” Many pointed out that the performer has previously courted controversy through politically charged statements and public behaviour, but this time the reaction appeared far broader, with fans and critics alike demanding accountability. Disability rights groups also urged networks like Fox News to take a stronger stance when harmful language is used on air.

Despite mounting pressure, Kid Rock has not yet issued a public apology or response. His silence has only fuelled further criticism, with commentators suggesting that his refusal to address the issue reflects a disregard for the communities affected by his words. The episode has reignited a larger discussion about the responsibility of public figures to use their platforms for empathy rather than provocation.

For the Special Olympics, the moment has become an opportunity to reemphasise its mission of respect and inclusion, a message that continues to gain relevance whenever celebrity culture crosses lines of basic decency.