Kiss frontman Gene Simmons pushed back Tuesday against celebrities sharing their political views, telling them to “shut the f*** up.”
During a TMZ interview, Simmons was asked what he thought about Ben Stiller criticizing the White House for posting a clip from Tropic Thunder meant to boost the United States’ military actions in Iran. Stiller wrote on X asking the White House to remove the clip and that he had “no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine.”
Simmons sarcastically replied saying people should listen to celebrities “because they’re so qualified.”
“Basically, shut the f*** up,” Simmons said in an interview with TMZ.
“Do your art and stay out of it. Nobody’s interested in your opinions — including mine, who I vote for, or who I support.”
Simmons went further, arguing that many Americans are tired of hearing political lectures from wealthy celebrities. He said people who “live in mansions and drive Rolls-Royces” shouldn’t assume audiences want to hear their views, adding that entertainers should “shut your piehole” and focus on their work instead.
The rocker also took aim at Mark Ruffalo, whom he jokingly misnamed “Mark Buffalo,” dismissing the actor’s frequent political commentary.
“I don’t care what he thinks,” Simmons said, before joking that people might as well ask Kylie Jenner for her take on international conflicts.
Simmons has long advocated against celebrities voicing their political views.
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“It’s nobody’s business who you support,” Simmons told CNN’s “Inside Politics” in December. “Nowadays, people engage in, ‘So are you pro or,’ and my first question is, ‘Who the f— are you? Who are you?’ Since when does who I support or not support is the business of anyone except my conscience?”