The legendary rock band KISS expressed their excitement on August 13 when former President Donald Trump announced that they would be among the esteemed recipients of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors. Known for their flamboyant performances and classic hits like “Love Gun,” “Black Diamond,” and “Christine Sixteen,” KISS joins an illustrious list of honorees that includes country music superstar George Strait, Broadway sensation Michael Crawford, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, and action movie legend Sylvester Stallone.
In a remarkable twist, Trump revealed that he played a significant role in the selection of this year’s honorees. He is set to become the first U.S. president to host the event, which has raised eyebrows given his history with artists who have been critical of him. Despite their past disagreements with Trump during his presidency, KISS members expressed joy at being recognized alongside past Kennedy Center icons such as Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger, Stevie Wonder, and Garth Brooks.
Bassist and co-lead vocalist Gene Simmons articulated the band’s feelings, stating, “KISS is the embodiment of the American dream. We are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor.” Fellow band member and guitarist Paul Stanley echoed this sentiment, saying, “From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off.” He emphasized the prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors, accepting it on behalf of KISS's long legacy and all past band members.
Former guitarist Ace Frehley described the recognition as a “dream come true that I never thought would materialize,” while former drummer Peter Criss expressed his gratitude, saying, “I feel so blessed. This is the greatest honor of our career.”
Interestingly, Trump was the first president to skip the annual Kennedy Center Honors gala during his first term, and he had not attended a single event at the renowned D.C. arts center until recently. The decision to honor KISS, a band that has occasionally criticized Trump, comes just one week after he dismissed the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, following a jobs report that he claimed—without evidence—was “rigged” to portray him unfavorably.
Simmons has had a tumultuous relationship with Trump, initially praising him before he became president. He described Trump as “the truest political animal I’ve ever seen onstage,” complimenting his authenticity and lack of reliance on speechwriters. However, Simmons’s perspective shifted dramatically after Trump’s presidency. He stated, “Look what that gentleman did to this country and the polarization – got all the cockroaches to rise to the top,” criticizing Trump for fostering an environment where racism and conspiracy theories became more visible.
Similarly, Stanley has been vocal about his disapproval of Trump’s actions. In January 2021, he tweeted that Trump’s resistance to accepting the election results was “ABHORRENT” and a “true danger to our democracy.” He referred to the January 6 Capitol riot as an “armed insurrection” and condemned the role Trump and certain senators played in inciting the violence.
The Trump-hosted Kennedy Center Honors ceremony is set to air on CBS in December 2025. As KISS prepares to join the ranks of distinguished honorees, the band’s journey illustrates the complex relationship between art, politics, and public perception in America today.
