Gene Simmons urges Americans to stop worrying about neighbors' politics, cites humor and civility in CNN interview
KISS frontman defends personal conscience in CNN discussion, later backs the American Music Fairness Act on Capitol Hill amid Kennedy Center Honors involvement
Gene Simmons urged Americans to stop worrying about their neighbors' politics in a CNN interview aired Sunday, telling Manu Raju on Inside Politics, “It's nobody’s business who you support.” He added, “Nowadays, people engage in, 'So are you pro or,' and my first question is, ‘Who the f--- are you? Who are you?’ Since when does who I support or not support is the business of anyone except my conscience?” Simmons also offered a broader admonition on political discourse, saying, “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.”
In addressing the political divide within the Republican Party’s MAGA wing, the KISS frontman said, “Some of it makes sense and some not,” but stressed that public scrutiny of private beliefs should give way to civility. He noted that discussions about political views have extended into everyday life, and he stressed that personal loyalty to a neighbor’s beliefs should not supersede individual conscience. He also referenced a broader moment in his year, noting that he had a candid face-to-face with former President Donald Trump after receiving a Kennedy Center Honor earlier this year, describing the exchange as focused on family and ordinary life rather than politics: “How’s the family? How are the kids? … It’s not always about politics.”
Simmons also said he spoke with members of Congress in the weeks surrounding the Kennedy Center Honors and described conversations with lawmakers as part of routine, human interaction rather than political theater. The remarks come as he has been involved in legislative activity on Capitol Hill, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of the American Music Fairness Act, a bipartisan measure that would alter how radio stations compensate artists.
The American Music Fairness Act would require AM and FM radio stations to pay recording artists and performers when their songs are broadcast, ending a decades-long exemption in U.S. copyright law. The bill, intended to align traditional radio with digital and streaming platforms that already pay royalties, would implement low, flat fees to protect small local stations. The measure was introduced in the House by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., in January, while Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Alex Padilla, D-Calif., introduced companion legislation in the Senate this year. More than a dozen conservative groups have urged leaders in both chambers to support the bill.
The Kennedy Center Honors figured prominently in Simmons’ calendar this year. He and fellow KISS members Paul Stanley and Peter Criss were part of the 48th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in early December. A photo from the event shows the band alongside other honorees as the White House and congressional pages marked a high-profile cultural moment. The ceremony was part of a broader, high-profile year for the Kennedy Center, with coverage noting the leadership and fundraising momentum surrounding the event as it continued to draw massive attention from the entertainment and political spheres.
Separately, a broader snapshot of Kennedy Center activity this year reflected intense engagement from across the political spectrum. Photos and coverage from DC captured moments on the red carpet and in the Oval Office during related ceremonies, highlighting the interplay between culture, entertainment, and politics. One image from the White House event shows the president presenting medals during the Kennedy Center Honors week, underscoring the ceremonial context in which Simmons’ remarks about civility and private life occurred. 
As Simmons balanced public commentary with his extensive entertainment career and civic engagement, he remained a visible advocate for artists’ rights and industry evolution. He testified on Capitol Hill in support of the American Music Fairness Act, arguing that compensation for broadcast performances is a long-overdue adjustment in a media landscape that has shifted toward streaming and direct licensing. The lobbying push for AMFA drew support from a cross-section of industry groups and lawmakers who have framed the policy as a modernization of U.S. copyright law intended to ensure fair remuneration for performers and recording artists.
In parallel, media coverage of the Kennedy Center Honors this year highlighted the event’s fundraising and public profile. Reports described the year as a banner moment for the Kennedy Center, with headlines noting strong fundraising and attendance that amplified the cultural significance of the honors. The event’s high-profile red-carpet moments continued to draw attention from fans and policymakers alike, reinforcing the ongoing nexus of culture, politics and public policy in the entertainment sector. 