Gene Simmons Reacts To KISS' Kennedy Center Honors Announcement

KISS is about to receive one of the highest cultural accolades in the nation, and the band is soaking in every bit of the moment.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will be honored at the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors, joining a prestigious 2025 slate that includes Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford.

President Donald Trump, who recently assumed the role of chairman for the Kennedy Center, announced the honorees on Wednesday and revealed he will personally host this year's awards ceremony. The decision marks a sharp shift from his first term, when he skipped the event after several artists vowed not to attend in protest.

Following the announcement, Gene Simmons spoke out, emphasizing how much of an honor this is for him and the band.

Speaking to TMZ, Gene Simmons called the honor a full-circle moment.

"KISS is the embodiment of the American dream. We are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor," he said.

Paul Stanley echoed the sentiment, noting, "From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off. 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."

Ace Frehley reflected on his humble beginnings in the Bronx, describing the recognition as "a dream come true that I never thought would materialize," adding that being honored alongside the other 2025 recipients was "truly humbling."

Peter Criss has yet to comment on the news.

Since becoming chairman, Trump has replaced the Kennedy Center's board of trustees with loyalists and has hinted at a rebranding, even jokingly calling it the "Trump/Kennedy Center" on Truth Social.

In a post earlier this week, he promised to restore the venue to "the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment" while confirming renovations are already underway.

The Kennedy Center, in a public statement, praised Trump's "advocacy" for the arts and said it was "honored" to host him for the event, his third visit since January. The institution teased a major construction announcement in the coming weeks and called the 2025 honorees "incredible examples of American artistry."

KISS's journey to becoming Kennedy Center Honorees has been over five decades in the making.

The legendary rock band was formed in 1973 in New York City by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Known for their signature face paint, larger-than-life stage personas, and jaw-dropping performances featuring pyrotechnics, fire breathing, and elaborate costumes, KISS quickly skyrocketed into a full-blown pop culture phenomenon during the 1970s.

Their influence on the rock genre is undeniable, with a career spanning countless tours, devoted fans known as the "KISS Army," and an impact that extends far beyond music into film, television, and merchandise.

Over the years, KISS has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, a staggering achievement that cements their place in music history.

When President Donald Trump announced this year's slate of honorees, he praised the group as "one of the greatest rock bands of all time," recognizing not only their commercial success but also their cultural legacy.

"The 48th Kennedy Center Honorees are outstanding people, an outstanding group, incredible," Trump added. "We can't wait to celebrate the Kennedy Center Honors."

The Kennedy Center Honors announcement for KISS comes on the heels of another headline-making development from the White House. The unveiling of plans for a massive new state ballroom in the East Wing.

According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the $200 million, 90,000-square-foot space, which will be privately funded by President Trump and other donors, will seat up to 650 guests and finally allow the White House to host primary state functions without resorting to temporary outdoor tents.

President Trump, who called the White House his "favorite place," emphasized that the addition will be built with "total respect" for the historic structure, noting it will be nearby but not physically attached to the main building.

"We've been planning it for a long time," he said, per CBS, promising the new venue will be a "much-needed and exquisite addition."