GENE SIMMONS Says He Was ‘Very Liberal’ But He Wants ‘Nothing To Do With’ Democratic Party Now
KISS bassist Gene Simmons has said he wants "nothing to do with" the Democratic Party, describing himself as having been "very liberal" in his youth before shifting his political outlook over the decades. Speaking on Andrew Gold's Heretics podcast, Simmons addressed earlier claims that he had lost solo band bookings for refusing to criticise President Donald Trump, insisting he never called Trump "okay" but argued that the office of the presidency deserves respect regardless of personal views, given Trump's election victory.
Simmons explained his shift away from the Democrats by pointing to New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom he described as a "socialist Democrat", saying this had prompted him to abandon the party entirely, though he called Mamdani personally "ethically good" while disagreeing with his politics. He also contrasted what he called "blue states" such as New York and California unfavourably with Texas and Florida on economic grounds, though editorial notes accompanying the piece cite Governor Gavin Newsom's office pointing to data showing California's economy grew 3.7% annualised in early 2026, its strongest quarterly performance since 2013.
In short
- Gene Simmons says he no longer identifies with the Democratic Party
- He cites NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani's "socialist" politics as the reason
- He still argues Trump's presidency deserves institutional respect
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Simmons’s shift can be understood as a response to what he sees as the Democratic Party moving towards policies he regards as too socialist, with Mamdani’s politics serving as a particular example. Supporters of his position may also argue that respect for the presidency as an institution should be kept separate from approval of an individual president, and that comparing states’ economic records is a legitimate way to assess policy.
The case against
Critics may argue that one politician’s views do not define an entire party, and that leaving it over Mamdani risks overlooking the range of Democratic positions and the policies’ potential benefits. They may also question Simmons’s broad economic contrast between states, pointing to reported California growth as evidence that the picture is more complex, and stress that respect for the presidency need not mean withholding criticism of its occupant.
Explained simply
Gene Simmons is the bassist and co-founder of KISS, the American rock band known for its elaborate make-up and stage shows. He has also spoken publicly about his political views, which he says have changed over time.
The Democratic Party is one of the two main political parties in the United States; the other is the Republican Party. Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic politician who describes himself as a democratic socialist, became New York City’s mayor in 2026. His policies and political label have become part of a wider debate about the direction of the party and the role of government.
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