KISS bassist and marketing mogul Gene Simmons has never been one to mince words, and his recent appearance on CNN‘s Inside Politics was no exception. Speaking with host Manu Raju on Sunday, the rock icon urged Americans to de-escalate the political tension that has gripped the country, essentially telling the public to mind their own business when it comes to their neighbors’ voting habits.
Simmons expressed frustration with the modern tendency to demand political purity tests from strangers. When discussing the intrusive nature of political discourse today, he offered a sharp rebuttal to anyone asking for his allegiance.
“It’s nobody’s business who you support,” Simmons stated. “Nowadays, people engage in, ‘So are you pro or,’ and my first question is, ‘Who the f**k are you? Who are you?’ Since when does who I support or not support is the business of anyone except my conscience?”
When the conversation turned to the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement and the Republican Party, Simmons refused to be drawn into a partisan box. instead, he advised the populace to relax and accept ideological diversity.
“Some of it makes sense and some not,” he remarked. “But literally, have a sense of humor. Take a pill, shut up and stop worrying what your next-door neighbor believes or doesn’t believe. It’s their America too.”
The musician’s visit to Washington D.C.—which included receiving the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors—allowed him to rub shoulders with figures from across the political spectrum, including Senator Thom Tillis, Senator Marsha Blackburn, and Representative Adam Schiff.
Simmons noted that despite the public perception of bitter division, his private interactions with leaders, including the President, were surprisingly grounded. He recalled meeting the President, whom he has known for decades prior to his political career.
“Had some face time with Senator Tillis and Blackburn and met Mr. Schiff and so on. But the telling moment was after we all got our Kennedy Center awards, as I had some face time alone with the president,” Simmons shared. “And I actually met the president and on and off for years and years, decades before he entered politics. And the conversation was what human beings do. How‘s the family? How are the kids? And, you know, all that stuff. It‘s not always about politics.”
While his comments on civility made headlines, Simmons was primarily in the capital for business. He recently testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee to champion the American Music Fairness Act. The proposed legislation aims to close a copyright loophole, requiring AM and FM radio stations to pay performance royalties to artists—a standard that currently applies to streaming services but has historically exempted terrestrial radio.
