Following a whirlwind weekend in Washington D.C., longtime KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer has shared high praise for U.S. President Donald Trump. The comments came shortly after the legendary rock band received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, a career milestone that included a reception at the White House.
Speaking with Cara Castronuova of LindellTV, Thayer reflected on the experience of meeting the president and receiving such a high-profile accolade.
“Well, [President Trump‘s] got very good taste in music, obviously,” Thayer joked. “We had a great event last night, the Kennedy Center Honors with KISS, George Strait and many others. And it was really a highlight of all of our year, and it was just an honor and a pleasure to be here. Great show.”
When asked if he ever envisioned himself receiving an award from a sitting president, Thayer admitted it was unexpected but deeply appreciated. He also took the opportunity to compliment Trump’s performance in his second term.
“No. It’s a big honor. KISS has had a great storied career for 50 years, and we’re just honored to be here and be part of it. And President Trump has done a fantastic job,” Thayer stated. “They’re doing great things at the Kennedy Center now. And it’s just an honor to be here. And he’s got good taste in music. No doubt.”
Pressed further on his political assessment, Thayer acknowledged the difficulties of the presidency while maintaining his support.
“I think he’s doing a fantastic job. I think that it’s a tough job in a lot of ways, [and] everybody’s got a lot of different points of view on things, but I think he does an excellent job,” he said.
The guitarist also agreed with the sentiment that music serves as a unifying force across political divides, noting that KISS fans span the entire spectrum.
“Music is the language of all people. And that’s the thing that was great about last night. It didn’t matter where you’re coming from. It was just a great party, a good time. Everybody had smiles on their faces and just enjoyed the night.”
Thayer wasn’t the only member of the KISS camp to weigh in on the surreal nature of the event. On the red carpet, frontman Paul Stanley told Breitbart News that the honor validated his belief in the American Dream.
“It’s an incredible honor. It’s surreal, and as a kid who grew up with nothing, the idea of being in the White House, the Oval Office, receiving accolades from the president, that’s beyond anything that I could have ever fathomed,” Stanley said. “And that’s what makes America great, is the fact that we can all achieve whatever we set out to do with hard work.”
Bassist Gene Simmons offered a more aesthetic critique, praising the new look of the Oval Office under the current administration.
“It used to be a drab. I’ve been here through Mr. Clinton and Mr. Bush, and it used to be a pretty drab place,” Simmons remarked. “It’s coming alive. I think it’s great.”
Original drummer Peter Criss was equally moved by the historical weight of the location.
“It was history. You could feel the vibes in the room. I was, like, looking at the desk, going, ‘Well, that’s where Roosevelt sat during the war. That’s where Lincoln sat. That’s where JFK [sat].’ I was a big JFK kid. And it was a high,” Criss said. “A kid from Brooklyn, I never thought I’d be in the Oval Office sitting with the president of the United States. So it’s been wonderful.”
