Gene Simmons Tells Stars to Avoid Politics

Gene Simmons has reignited debate over celebrity activism after saying famous people should stick to their craft instead of weighing in on political issues. The KISS co-founder made the remarks during a brief interview in Beverly Hills on Monday, framing his point as advice to entertainers and public figures who use their platforms for political commentary.

During the exchange, TMZ reported that Simmons borrowed from Laura Ingraham’s “shut up and dribble” phrase to argue that audiences are largely uninterested in celebrities like Mark Ruffalo and and Ben Stiller political opinions, and he also singled out several well-known figures by name in the video.

The comments stood out in part because Simmons has previously spoken publicly about politics himself, including his past remarks about President Donald Trump. In a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, he predicted Trump would win and described him as “good for the political system,” later calling Trump a “legitimate, upstanding guy” in a CNN appearance, according to the report.

His latest stance also arrives as Simmons continues to draw attention for blunt public statements, including earlier controversy over Chuck D blasting him over a “ghetto” remark tied to wider arguments about what belongs in rock institutions and how artists talk about culture.

Simmons has said his views have evolved over time, and he referenced that shift during a 2022 appearance with Bill Maher, telling the host that the person he initially saw rising to power was not the same person he perceived within a year or two. With his newest comments, Simmons appears to be drawing a harder line between entertainment and politics—one that is likely to keep sparking arguments across music fandoms.