Kid Rock on Tuesday ended months of speculation that he would run for the US Senate, saying he fed the rumours as a publicity stunt. Photo: AFP file

 

CHICAGO: Kid Rock on Tuesday ended months of speculation that he would run for the US Senate, saying he fed the rumours as a publicity stunt.

In an expletive-laden interview on shock radio jock Howard Stern´s program, the outspoken musician said he had created a fake campaign website and fueled rumours on social media in order to promote his new album, "Sweet Southern Sugar."

The musician used the F-word and then said, "I´m not running for Senate. Are you kidding me?"

"Who couldn´t figure that out? I´m releasing a new album. I´m going on tour, too," said Rock, 46, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie.

The Michigan-based musician, who supports US President Donald Trump, had received some encouragement from the Republican Party establishment to challenge incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat.

The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC backed by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, had expressed support for the musician over the summer.

There were even polls conducted to gauge Rock´s political standing in the midwestern state. The latest showed he trailed Stabenow by eight points.