KISS expressed their excitement when former President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, August 13, that the band would be among this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees. The legendary rock group, known for hits such as “Love Gun,” “Black Diamond,” and “Christine Sixteen,” will be honored alongside country music star George Strait, Broadway actor Michael Crawford, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, and actor Sylvester Stallone.
Trump, who stated he was actively involved in the selection process and plans to be the first U.S. president to host the event, made the notable choice of including KISS despite their previous criticisms of him.
Despite their past disagreements with Trump during his first term, KISS members expressed joy at joining the ranks of past Kennedy Center Honorees such as Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Stevie Wonder. Gene Simmons, the band’s bassist and singer, said, “KISS is the embodiment of the American dream. We are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor.”
Paul Stanley, singer and guitarist, commented, “From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off. 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.”
Former guitarist Ace Frehley described the honor as a “dream come true,” while former drummer Peter Criss stated, “I feel so blessed. This is the greatest honor of our career.”
During his presidency, Trump was the first to not attend the Kennedy Center Honors gala. The selection of KISS comes shortly after Trump dismissed the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics following a disputed jobs report.
Gene Simmons, who was fired by Trump during the first season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” in 2008, initially praised Trump before his presidential run. However, his perspective shifted over time. The band declined an invitation to perform at Trump’s first inauguration, and Simmons later criticized Trump’s impact on political polarization.
Paul Stanley also expressed strong criticism of Trump, particularly regarding his actions following the 2020 election and the events of January 6, 2021.
The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, hosted by Trump, will be broadcast on CBS in December.
