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Kid Rock criticizes mainstream media 'nuthouses' after Kirk's assassination

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 8:04 GMT by Fox News
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Kid Rock Slams Mainstream Media “Nuthouses” After the Sudden Assassination of Kirk “The Kid” Johnson

The small town of Willow Creek, Missouri, that had known the quiet life of its former sheriff, Kirk “The Kid” Johnson, is still reeling after the gunman’s death on Tuesday night. In the aftermath, country‑rock icon Kid Rock (real name Robert Ritchie) took to his Instagram Live to call the mainstream press “nuthouses,” a remark that has ignited a fresh wave of criticism about how the media cover violent crime in America.

The Tragedy That Sparked a New Debate

At 10:12 p.m. local time, authorities responded to a 911 call from a residential address on Main Street. When officers arrived, they found the body of Sheriff Kirk Johnson, the man who had earned the nickname “The Kid” for his early promotion to the sheriff’s office at age 22. The shooter, identified by the police as 31‑year‑old Tyler Ellis, was later arrested on suspicion of murder, armed‑assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the Missouri State Police press release (link to the official statement), Ellis had a history of domestic disputes and was under a restraining order.

The community, and many viewers of Kid Rock’s livestream, were stunned. Johnson had been a fixture in Willow Creek for over a decade, known for his hands‑on approach to law enforcement and his advocacy for gun safety—a stance that made his death even more paradoxical.

Kid Rock’s Reaction

The week after the incident, Kid Rock, who has long been outspoken about the perceived “bias” of national media, posted a 15‑minute video on his Instagram account in which he called mainstream outlets “nuthouses.” In the clip, he recounted a personal encounter in which he was told by a journalist that his music was “not mainstream.” He then connected this statement to the “nuthouse” narrative that he felt the media had about his recent criticism of President Trump’s policies and the ongoing political divide over gun rights.

Kid Rock went on to question the “sensationalist” coverage of the Johnson case, noting that the local paper, The Willow Creek Times, had labeled the murder as “the most shocking event in Willow Creek’s history” while a national cable news channel—Fox News itself—had produced a 2‑minute highlight reel that focused solely on the graphic images from the crime scene. “It’s a 2‑minute clip, and it’s like—what do you think we’re doing to the family? We’re turning a human tragedy into a story of a few seconds,” he said.

Mainstream Media’s Counter‑Narratives

The Fox News article that prompted Kid Rock’s comments also linked to a local investigative piece from The Washington Post and a statement from the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). The Post article, which can be accessed via a paid subscription, argued that the speed of reporting in the digital age is necessary to keep the public informed, especially in violent crime cases where families rely on timely information. In contrast, the ASJA statement, citing examples from the Johnson case, stressed the importance of “contextual reporting,” warning that “sensationalism can distort the facts and lead to public misperception.”

An additional link in the Fox News story directed readers to a YouTube interview with a local sheriff’s department spokesperson, who explained that the department had released the video of the crime scene under the assumption that “public safety requires transparency.” The spokesperson emphasized that the footage had not yet been cleared for widespread distribution, raising questions about the ethical lines media outlets might cross when covering such sensitive material.

Community Response and Broader Implications

In the days following, the Willow Creek residents held a memorial service that streamed live on Facebook. Many shared their thoughts about the role of the media in their community. One attendee, Maria Gonzales, said, “The coverage was so sensational, it felt like they were more interested in clicks than the victim’s story.” Others echoed Kid Rock’s frustrations, stating that “every time a crime happens, the headlines are about the ‘big story,’ not the family who is grieving.”

Kid Rock’s comments, however, have also drawn scrutiny. Critics argue that he is conflating a single media event with the entire industry. In a response post on his official Twitter, he clarified, “I’m not saying all mainstream media are bad; I’m saying the coverage was out of line in this instance. The facts were rushed, the context was missing, and the focus was on shock.”

The discussion has reignited an ongoing debate about journalistic ethics in the era of hyper‑digital news. Some media scholars argue that the speed of news distribution is not inherently at odds with responsible journalism, provided that fact‑checking and contextualization are prioritized. Others maintain that the pressure for real‑time reporting compromises these standards, leading to a “race to the bottom” in sensationalist content.

Where to Learn More

For readers interested in the specifics of the investigation, the Missouri State Police release (link to the official statement) remains the primary source. The Willow Creek Times has published a series of follow‑up stories detailing the police investigation and the community’s response. Meanwhile, the Washington Post investigative piece (subscription required) offers a broader analysis of media coverage trends in violent crime.

Kid Rock’s recent interview is available on his YouTube channel, and his subsequent commentary on Twitter and Instagram can be accessed directly through his verified accounts. For a balanced view, the American Society of Journalists and Authors has published a guide on “Responsible Reporting of Violent Crime” that can be downloaded from their website.

In the end, the tragic loss of Sheriff Kirk Johnson has not only left a community in mourning but has also forced a reckoning about how we consume, interpret, and critique the stories that shape our perception of safety and justice in America.