Kid Rock has come under the internet’s scrutiny after an old clip resurfaced of him sexualizing the Olsen twins, who were 14 years old at the time. Kid Rock, known by his legal name Robert James Ritchie, has aligned himself with the MAGA movement, performing at various far-right events, including the TPUSA Super Bowl halftime show, which was set to rival Bad Bunny’s.

However, over the years, Kid Rock has also been criticized for his comments that are often interpreted as “pe–philic.” In a recent unearthed SNL clip, Kid Rock can be heard making comments about the Olsen Twins. “Why is every guy in America waiting for these chicks to turn 18?” Kid Rock says in the 12-second snippet from SNL. “I mean, you know what I’m saying? If there’s grass on the field, play ball!”

 

 
 
 
 
 
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At the time when the comments were made, Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen were just 14. Kid Rock, on the other hand, was 30 years old and already had kids. The internet was divided on the matter. While various users criticized the country-rock singer, others took his side, blaming the writers of Saturday Night Live (SNL). “That was gross even way back then,” one user wrote. Another added, “SNL doesn’t make jokes about child r–e due to lawsuit purposes so…. That must have been one of his personal jokes.”

“He should’ve had the good sense to avoid it – but keep in mind, an SNL writer (trying to play into his outrageous persona) wrote that for him,” a third user wrote. “And also, that phrase ‘grass on the field’ has been around before Kid Rock was even born.” Another user added, “I think Kid Rock is a creep, but, come on – this is an SNL skit. He may have said it, but it was written for him as part of the show. It wouldn’t surprise me if he agrees with it, but it’s SNL.”

Kid Rock’s SNL comments aren’t the only time the country singer received flak for his comments. His song “Cool, Daddy Cool,” released in 2001, was even featured in a children’s movie called Osmosis Jones. The film contained a series of controversial lyrics. One of the lyrics from the song included: “Young ladies, young ladies, I like ’em underage. See, some say that’s statutory, but I say it’s mandatory.”

According to the Irish Star, Kid Rock refused to comment on the controversial matter. He, however, did post a Kobe Bryant quote, which said: “Learn to love the hate. Embrace it. Enjoy it. You earned it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and everyone should have one about you. Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.”