Gene Simmons Blasts Political Obsession On CNN While Pushing Radio Royalty Reform

Gene Simmons used a recent appearance on CNN to unload his frustrations with America’s increasingly toxic political culture, arguing that obsession with who people vote for has become both invasive and pointless.

The KISS bassist made his comments while visiting Capitol Hill, where he was advocating for the American Music Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that would require AM and FM radio stations to pay royalties to performers, something the United States still does not mandate.

Before diving into policy, Simmons addressed what he sees as a wider social problem.

“It’s nobody’s business who you support,” Simmons said.

“Nowadays, people engage in, ‘So are you pro or,’ and my first question is, ‘Who the f*ck are you? Who are you?’ Since when does who I support or not support is the business of anyone except my conscience?”

Rather than framing his comments as a call for political unity, Simmons framed them as a call for disengagement, urging people to stop policing one another’s beliefs.

“But literally, have a sense of humor. Take a pill, shut up and stop worrying what your next-door neighbor believes or doesn’t believe. It’s their America too.”

American Music Fairness Act

Simmons’ blunt delivery continued as he shifted focus to the American Music Fairness Act, which aims to correct what he described as a decades-long injustice within the U.S. broadcast system.

“I’m here to kindly ask all of you, both Republicans and Democrats, to help us remedy a situation — an injustice.”

To illustrate the issue, Simmons referenced Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’, explaining how everyone involved in radio broadcast chains historically profited, except the artist.

“The only person that was never paid for the airplay was Bing Crosby, which is astonishing.”

Simmons argued the bill already reflects public will, citing polling that suggests 70% of Americans support requiring radio stations to compensate artists.

“We are gonna pass this bill. It is bipartisan… If you are against this bill, you are un-American.”

While Simmons’ rhetoric predictably drew mixed reactions, his core message remained focused, artists deserve compensation, and political tribalism has become a distraction from tangible reform.

Love him or loathe him, Simmons continues to leverage his platform the same way he always has, loudly, unapologetically, and with zero interest in softening the edges.