KISS Once Called Donald Trump ‘Abhorrent’ and ‘Out for Himself.’ Now, They’re Being Honored by Him at the Kennedy Center

Despite their past criticisms, KISS is being honored by President Donald Trump.

Along with other artists, the president is honoring the legendary rock band at the Kennedy Center this year amid his attempt to take control of the cultural institution.

The band told TMZ that they were “deeply honored” to be recognized by Trump, 79. “From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off,” Paul Stanley told the outlet.

“The prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated and I accept this on behalf of the long legacy of KISS and all of the band members who helped create our iconic band.”

However, Stanley, 73, and bandmate Gene Simmons have changed their tune about Trump over the years.

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Stanley labeled the then-presidential candidate’s statement about the 2020 election being rigged if he lost “abhorrent.” “REGARDLESS of who you support, it is incendiary & abhorrent for ANY candidate to say ‘If I lose, the election is rigged,’ ” Stanley posted on X in August 2020.

“It’s an insult to those who have fought for the free, safe elections we have and dangerously implies that citizens who don’t share your views are the enemy.”

He also spoke out amid the events of the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots. “These are TERRORISTS. This is armed insurrection,” he wrote in January 2021 on X, sharing a picture of the events.

“The flames were fanned today & over time by the president & specific senators who CANNOT be allowed now to distance from or denounce what they have directly caused. Know their names. THIS is the result of their deception. Shame.”

Simmons, 75, meanwhile, appeared on the first season of Celebrity Apprentice in 2008 and called Trump “good for the political system” in an interview with Rolling Stone in 2016.

“He is the truest political animal I’ve ever seen onstage,” Simmons said at the time. “He has no speechwriters, no editing, no nothing. He’s actually on tape going ‘motherf—–.’ You cannot turn away.… He has said some very vile, unkind things. But don’t kid yourself. He speaks off the cuff, and what you see is what you get. And he’ll double down.”

Added Simmons: “He’s not there to be your friend…. He’s good for the political system.”

Years later, however, in May 2022, Simmons seemingly likened Trump’s camp to “cockroaches” and said he was “out for himself” when speaking to SPIN. “Look what that gentleman [Trump] did to this country and the polarization — got all the cockroaches to rise to the top,” the singer said at the time.

“I don’t think he’s a Republican or a Democrat. He’s out for himself, any way you can get there. And in the last election, over 70 million people bought it hook, line, and sinker.”

His commentary didn’t stop there. While appearing on Bill Maher’s podcast in November 2022, Simmons reflected on how he felt when Trump was elected in 2016. “I didn’t want Hillary [Clinton]. I thought, ‘Oh, a businessman is coming in. He understands how to run things,’ ” he said at the time.

However, Simmons said that Trump is “not the person I saw within a year or two of that.”

“What that gentleman did to this country and the polarization… [he] got all the cockroaches to rise to the top.”

After appointing himself chairman in February, Trump said he was “about 98 percent involved” in choosing who the cultural institution would pay tribute to.

“Since 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors have been among the most prestigious awards in the performing arts. I wanted one. I was never able to get one,” Trump said on Wednesday, Aug. 13 announcing this year’s honorees.

“I waited and waited and waited, and I said, ‘The hell with it. I’ll become chairman,’ ” he continued. “I’ll give myself an honor. Maybe… next year we’ll honor Trump.”

Also being recognized, after Trump turned down candidates “who were too woke,” are Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor and George Strait.