Despite past criticism, the rock band KISS is being honored by President Donald Trump.
This year, the president is recognizing the band at the Kennedy Center Honors along with other famous artists. Trump, who now oversees the cultural institution, announced the new honorees on Wednesday.
KISS told TMZ that they were “deeply honored” to receive the recognition. Paul Stanley said, “From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American idea that anything is possible if you work hard. The prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated, and I accept this on behalf of the long legacy of KISS and all the band members who helped create our iconic band.”
Past Criticism of Trump
Over the years, both Stanley, 73, and bandmate Gene Simmons, 75, have criticized Trump despite once speaking positively about him.
In 2020, Stanley called Trump’s comments about the 2020 election being rigged if he lost “abhorrent.” On X, he wrote: “REGARDLESS of who you support, it is incendiary & abhorrent for ANY candidate to say ‘If I lose, the election is rigged.’”
Stanley also reacted strongly to the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots. On X, he wrote: “These are TERRORISTS. This is armed insurrection… The flames were fanned by the president & specific senators who CANNOT now distance themselves from what they caused.”
Simmons’ Changing View
Simmons once praised Trump. In 2008, he appeared on Celebrity Apprentice and later told Rolling Stone in 2016 that Trump was “good for the political system.” He said Trump spoke without filters, adding: “He’s not there to be your friend… He’s good for the political system.”
But by 2022, Simmons’ view shifted. In an interview with SPIN, he compared Trump’s supporters to “cockroaches” and said Trump was “out for himself.” Later that year, on Bill Maher’s podcast, Simmons admitted that he originally thought Trump’s business background would help the country, but added: “He’s not the person I saw within a year or two of that.”
Trump on Choosing Honorees
Since February, Trump has been chairman of the Kennedy Center. He said he was “about 98 percent involved” in selecting this year’s honorees.
“Since 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors have been among the most prestigious awards in the performing arts. I wanted one. I was never able to get one,” Trump said. “I waited and waited, and I said, ‘The hell with it. I’ll become chairman. I’ll give myself an honor. Maybe next year we’ll honor Trump.’”
This year’s other honorees include Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, and George Strait.
