Kid Rock hits back at Conan O’Brien’s Oscars jab, says the joke was 'not a very good one'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kid Rock isn’t staying quiet after getting roasted at the 98th Academy Awards. The musician fired back at a joke made by host Conan O'Brien during his opening monologue.

O'Brien joked about how award shows are getting more political, and Kid Rock found himself right in the line of fire.

Kid Rock responds to Conan O’Brien's Oscars diss

The musician took to social media on to react to O'Brien's Oscars commentary, writing, 'I love a good joke, even when I am the butt of it, unfortunately this was not a very good one.'

He then promoted his upcoming tour, which kicks off on Friday, May 1, in Dallas.

'Either way, if you want to see a REAL good show this spring / summer that celebrates America and 250 years of Freedom - make sure you buy your tickets from (ugh) Ticketmaster for my Freedom 250 tour - The Road To Nashville. There is a reason for this, TRUST ME!'

Despite criticizing the joke, the musician appeared to lean into the attention, using the moment to promote his upcoming tour.

A night of sharp humor

O'Brien mocked Kid Rock during Sunday's star-studded ceremony, taking a jab at his involvement in the All-American Halftime Show, a broadcast produced by Turning Point USA to serve as a direct alternative to the NFL's Super Bowl halftime show.

Kid Rock headlined the alternative MAGA halftime show, with Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett also performing.

While hosting the Oscars, O'Brien warned the audience that things at the 2026 ceremony could 'get political' before taking aim at the MAGA musician.

"Tonight could get political, and if that makes you uncomfortable, there's an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock," O'Brien said. 

He further joked that the Kid Rock-hosted alternative Oscars would be held at the adult arcade 'Dave & Busters down the street,' before hilariously adding, 'A lot of tickets for that.'

The Kid Rock joke was just one of the several pointed remarks included in O’Brien’s monologue.

The host also singled out Timothee Chalamet in front of the audience, poking fun at the “opera and ballet” remark controversy that put Chalamet in hot water recently.

O'Brien was back to host the Oscars for second year straight, stepping in after Jimmy Kimmel.

And right off the bat, he put Chalamet, this year's Best Actor nominee, in the spotlight, calling attention to that odd comment Chalamet made about nobody caring for ballet or opera anymore. 

The crowd definitely felt the tension as O'Brien quipped, 'I'm told there's a concern about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.'