KISS, who once described Donald Trump as “abhorrent” and self-serving, are now set to receive an honor from him at the Kennedy Center.
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Other honorees include Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, and George Strait.
Despite once voicing sharp criticism of Donald Trump, KISS will be among the honorees recognized by the president at this year’s Kennedy Center ceremony. The award comes as Trump, 79, works to increase his influence over the cultural institution.
Speaking to TMZ, the band expressed their appreciation for the recognition. “From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the belief that anything is possible through hard work,” said Paul Stanley, 73. “The Kennedy Center Honors carry immense prestige, and I accept this on behalf of our long history and every member who helped build KISS into an icon.”
Over the years, however, both Stanley and Gene Simmons have shifted their public tone on Trump. In August 2020, Stanley criticized then-candidate Trump’s remarks claiming the 2020 election would be “rigged” if he lost, calling such statements “incendiary and abhorrent.” He said the comments insult those who fought for secure elections and risk dividing the country. Following the January 6 Capitol riot, Stanley condemned the violence as an “armed insurrection” and held Trump and certain senators accountable for inciting it.
Simmons, 75, had a different history with Trump, having appeared on the debut season of Celebrity Apprentice in 2008. In a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, he described Trump as “the truest political animal” he had ever seen, praising his unscripted, off-the-cuff style while acknowledging he could be “vile” and “unkind.” Simmons noted that Trump was “not there to be your friend” but believed he was ultimately “good for the political system.”
After taking over as chairman in February, Trump said he played a major role—about “98 percent”—in selecting this year’s Kennedy Center honorees.
Announcing the lineup on Aug. 13, he noted, “The Kennedy Center Honors have been among the most prestigious awards in the performing arts since 1978. I always wanted one myself, but I never managed to get it.”