KISS guitarist Paul Stanley recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his views on the outcome of the recent US election, urging followers to unite and move forward.
“IT’S OVER. If your candidate lost, it’s time to learn from it, accept it and try to understand why,” he wrote. “There will be no building bridges to those you don’t agree with by being condescending, insulting, talking AT them or removing yourself. If your candidate won it’s time to understand that those who don’t share your views also believe they are right and love this country as much as you do. The enemy is not our fellow Americans. It is anyone and everyone who seeks to divide us.”
Stanley has been vocal about his political beliefs for years and has previously defended his right to express them. In 2021, he wrote that he speaks out as a ‘proud citizen’ and does not intend to alienate fans with his opinions. “If You Are A Fan Who Now Feels My Opinions Are Alienating You, that is sadly your choice & not my intention,” the musician wrote. “Do the entertainers you enjoy have to share your beliefs? Would you like it more if you didn’t know? In many cases you’d be fooling yourself. I won’t do that to you or me.”
In another post, Stanley emphasized that those with opposing views are not enemies: “To All Those Who Don’t Share My Views… You are not my enemy. A democracy needs those differences to make it better & ultimately stronger. Friendship doesn’t need agreement. OUR enemy should be anyone who turns us against each other for their personal gain.”
Stanley’s KISS bandmates have also shared their concerns about political issues. Gene Simmons called for politicians to focus on saving lives instead of re-election, while former guitarist Ace Frehley urged Americans to either support Trump or ‘move to another country.’
