‘It’s their America too’: Gene Simmons was asked about MAGA on live TV, then his response caught the CNN host off guard

KISS frontman Gene Simmons just shared what he really talked about with President Trump after receiving a Kennedy Center Honor earlier this year. The conversation wasn’t about politics at all. Instead, they talked about normal everyday things like family and kids. Simmons has known Trump for decades, long before he became president. After the awards ceremony, they had some private time together and just caught up like regular people do.

Simmons was recently on Capitol Hill to speak to the Senate Judiciary Committee. While he was there, he gave an interview where he told Americans to stop caring so much about their neighbors’ political views. According to the NY Post, he said people today are too quick to start political arguments and demand to know where everyone stands on issues.

He made it clear that who someone supports in politics is their own business and nobody else’s. Simmons asked why anyone thinks they have the right to know what others believe politically. He pointed out that this constant need to know everyone’s political stance has gone too far.

Simmons stays neutral on MAGA but pushes for artist rights

When asked about his thoughts on the MAGA movement, Simmons didn’t pick a side. He simply said “Some of it makes sense and some not.” He then questioned why anyone would even care about his political opinions. He told people to relax and stop worrying about what their neighbors believe, reminding everyone that “It’s their America too.”

Even though Simmons wants Americans to stop obsessing over politics, he was on Capitol Hill for an important political reason. He came to support the American Music Fairness Act, a major bipartisan bill that could change the music industry completely. Rock legends aren’t strangers to speaking out, as seen when an Oasis singer publicly blasted a fan during an iconic performance moment.

The American Music Fairness Act would make AM and FM radio stations pay royalties to recording artists and performers when they play their songs. Right now, traditional radio has been exempt from paying these royalties for decades, meaning they play music for free while artists get nothing. Streaming platforms and digital services already pay royalties, so this bill would make traditional radio do the same.

The bill protects small local radio stations by giving them low flat fees instead of high costs. Representative Darrell Issa introduced the current version in the House in January. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Alex Padilla brought it to the Senate this year. More than a dozen conservative groups have also asked House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to support it.

It’s great to see Simmons fighting for fair pay for music creators. While he doesn’t want to discuss his own politics, he’s clearly willing to stand up for artists’ rights. Other musicians have also dealt with personal struggles in the spotlight, like when a Red Hot Chili Peppers member faced emotional turmoil during a difficult relationship moment.