Los Angeles, March 12 – Gene Simmons, the frontman of the rock band KISS, is not particularly pleased with celebrities who openly express their political views.
He believes that celebrities should "shut up" when it comes to discussing political matters, according to ‘Female First UK’.
The 76-year-old rocker insisted that people in the public eye are no more qualified to talk about world events than anyone else, and therefore, they should focus on their work because no one really cares about their opinions.
Gene made this statement after actor Ben Stiller recently criticized President Donald Trump when the White House posted a clip from his movie ‘Tropic Thunder’ as a justification for their military action, according to ‘Female First UK’.
He told TMZ, "Everyone in the world should listen to what actors and comedians say, because they are so qualified. Basically, shut up. Do your art and shut up. Nobody cares about their opinions. That includes me, who I vote for, who I like. Who do you think you are? People in America work hard for their living, and they don't want to be lectured by people who live in mansions and drive Rolls-Royces. It's time for everyone in the entertainment industry to shut their mouths and just do your art. Nobody cares what you think. I don't”.
Gene then criticized Mark Ruffalo, whose surname he mispronounced as "Buffalo", because he has frequently offered his opinions on politics.
He said, "What would Mark (Ruffalo) think? I don't care. Ask Kylie Jenner what she thinks of the war so far”.
According to ‘Female First UK’, despite his comments, Gene himself has expressed views about Trump, whom he met when he appeared on the first season of Celebrity Apprentice in 2008, over the years.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, he insisted that the businessman was "good for the political system", but he seemingly had a change of heart in 2022.
He told Spin magazine, "Look what that gentleman (Trump) did to this country and the polarisation, got all the cockroaches to rise to the top. 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”, he added.