US President Donald Trump announced that KISS would be among this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees, marking a surprising inclusion for the band given Trump’s well-known aversion to criticism of him. The decision has raised eyebrows, especially considering Trump’s treatment of critics and his recent actions against institutions like the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
KISS will join country icon George Strait, Broadway star Michael Crawford, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, and Rocky/Rambo actor Sylvester Stallone as honorees. Bassist Gene Simmons expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating that KISS represents the American dream. Singer Paul Stanley also praised the Kennedy Center Honors, describing it as a prestigious recognition of the band’s legacy.
Former guitarist Ace Frehley called joining the honorees “a dream come true,” while former drummer Peter Criss said he felt blessed by the selection. The inclusion of KISS comes after Trump unexpectedly fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over a jobs report that Trump claimed had been “rigged.”
KISS’s relationship with Trump has been complex, ranging from initial praise to strong criticism. Gene Simmons had previously praised Trump as “the truest political animal” but later changed his tune after being fired by the president in 2008 and expressing disappointment at Trump’s actions.
Singer Paul Stanley also spoke out against Trump, calling his refusal to accept the results of the previous year’s election loss “ABHORRENT.” The announcement that KISS will be honored alongside Trump highlights the contrast between the band’s values and those of the president.
Source: https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/kiss-react-donald-trump-kennedy-center-honor-criticism-1236043851