It is early 2026, and the dust has finally settled on one of the most surreal sights in recent rock history: Gene Simmons, the guy who once compared Donald Trump’s supporters to "cockroaches," standing in the White House and the Kennedy Center to accept one of the nation’s highest honors from that same man. People are rightfully confused. If you look back at the headlines from the last few years, you’ll find a guy who seems to change his mind more often than he changes his stage boots. So, is Gene Simmons a Trump supporter 2025?
Well, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Honestly, it’s much weirder than that.
The Kennedy Center U-Turn
Just a few weeks ago, in December 2025, KISS was honored at the 48th Kennedy Center Honors. It was a massive deal. Trump, back in office and apparently calling the shots on who gets these awards (he claimed to be "98% involved" in the selection), hand-picked the band. This raised a lot of eyebrows because, in 2022, Gene was basically calling the MAGA movement a plague.
But when the cameras were rolling in late 2025, the vibe had totally shifted. Gene was seen in the Oval Office with Sylvester Stallone and his bandmate Paul Stanley, looking remarkably cozy. He even went on CNN and Fox News to tell everyone to basically "shut up" about who their neighbors support. To Gene, the "is Gene Simmons a Trump supporter 2025" question is offensive because he thinks your vote should be between you and your conscience.
What Gene said recently:
- On Trump's leadership: He thanked the President for his "leadership" on music issues, specifically the Music Modernization Act.
- On their relationship: He described his personal relationship with Trump as "terrific," noting they’ve known each other for decades—long before the red hats.
- On the critics: He told CNN’s Manu Raju that it’s "nobody’s damn business" who he supports.
Why the "Cockroaches" Comment Still Haunts the Internet
To understand why fans are so split, you have to remember 2022. That was Gene’s "anti-Trump" era. He told SPIN magazine that Trump was "out for himself" and that he had allowed "cockroaches to rise to the top." He was furious about the polarization of the country and Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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At that time, he didn’t sound like a supporter. He sounded like a guy who felt burned. He had initially supported Trump in 2016 because he liked the idea of a "businessman" running the show, but by the end of the first term, he was saying Trump wasn’t the person he thought he was.
Yet, here we are in the 2025-2026 cycle, and Gene is back to praising the man. Why? Part of it is pragmatism. Gene Simmons is, above all else, a businessman.
Is Gene Simmons a Trump Supporter 2025 or Just a Savvy Lobbyist?
Lately, Gene hasn't been hanging out in D.C. just for the parties. He’s been pushing the American Music Fairness Act. This is a bill that would force radio stations to actually pay artists when their songs are played—something they currently don't have to do in the U.S. (which is wild, right?).
In December 2025, Gene was on Capitol Hill testifying. He’s been playing both sides of the aisle to get this done. He’s met with Democrats like Adam Schiff and Republicans like Marsha Blackburn. If supporting Trump or at least being friendly with him helps get that bill signed, Gene is going to do it. He’s always been open about the fact that his favorite "party" is the one that makes him the most money.
The "Jesus" Comparison
One of the strangest moments in the recent media blitz was when Gene compared Trump to Jesus. Before you fall off your chair, he wasn’t saying Trump is a deity. He was making a point about popularity and elections. He told CNN, "Not everybody loves Jesus, but you can certainly say the following: He was a duly elected president... end of story."
It was a classic Gene Simmons move: say something provocative to get attention, then pivot to a lecture about "the American way." He seems deeply exhausted by the "woke vs. MAGA" culture war, despite often being a contributor to the noise himself.
Breaking Down His Political Identity
If you try to pin Gene down as a Republican or a Democrat, you'll fail. He’s a "Gene-ocrat." Here is how his views actually break down:
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- Fiscal Policy: Very conservative. He hates taxes. He’s said this for forty years.
- Social Issues: Often more liberal. He was a huge proponent of vaccines and has historically supported some LGBTQ+ rights, though he’s criticized "woke culture" recently.
- Foreign Policy: Extremely "hawkish" and conservative.
- Loyalty: He values his pre-politics friendship with Trump, which seems to override his past criticisms of Trump’s policies.
The Takeaway for 2026
So, is Gene Simmons a Trump supporter 2025? If "supporter" means someone who thinks Trump is a great leader for the music industry and a personal friend who deserves respect as a "duly elected official," then yes. If "supporter" means a loyal MAGA soldier who agrees with every tweet and policy, probably not.
He’s a man of contradictions. He can call the movement "cockroaches" one year and accept a medal from the leader of that movement the next.
What you can do with this info:
- Watch the interviews: Look up his December 2025 appearance on CNN's Inside Politics. It’s the most raw version of his current stance.
- Follow the Bill: If you care about music, keep an eye on the American Music Fairness Act. That is Gene's real priority right now.
- Don't expect consistency: With Gene, the "brand" always comes first. His politics are often a reflection of what is best for the KISS legacy at any given moment.
Ultimately, Gene Simmons wants you to stop asking who he voted for and start asking why radio stations aren't paying him. Whether you find that refreshing or frustrating probably depends on which side of the political fence you're sitting on.