Paul Stanley has defended his right to speak out on political issues, saying that he voices his opinions as a “proud citizen” of a country he loves deeply.
Earlier today, the KISS frontman took to his Twitter to write: “If You Are A Fan Who Now Feels My Opinions Are Alienating You, that is sadly your choice & not my intention. 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.”
Two days earlier, he wrote: “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.”
Back on January 4, Stanley expounded on his reasons for being so vocal on social media, writing: “I voice my opinions as a proud citizen of this country I love deeply. My profession should’t disallow that as we all have that right so many have fought & died protecting. I also understand that the people who would like me to stay quiet are those who don’t share my views. Sorry.”
Earlier this week, Stanley called out Republican senators who stoked the election conspiracy theories that sparked Wednesday’s violent attack by supporters of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol.
On Thursday, the KISS frontman took to his Twitter to slam Ted Cruz of Texas, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Marco Rubio of Florida for being some of the leading senators who supported Trump‘s efforts to overturn the election.
This is not the first time Stanley has spoken out against Republican senators for enabling and encouraging Trump‘s efforts to overturn the results of November’s election. Two months ago, the KISS frontman criticized GOP senators for not publicly recognizing President-elect Biden‘s win and for not countering the promotion by Trump and his campaign of unfounded claims that voter fraud disrupted the presidential election.
“Republican politicians who now cower before this president are the same ones that ridiculed & dismissed him in the 2016 primaries,” Stanley tweeted. “Their silence IS a choice & not sharing their opinion IS a coward’s way out. It feeds the mistrust that eats at the core of this country I love.”
If You Are A Fan Who Now Feels My Opinions Are Alienating You, that is sadly your choice & not my intention. 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.
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 10, 2021
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.
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 8, 2021
I voice my opinions as a proud citizen of this country I love deeply. My profession should’t disallow that as we all have that right so many have fought & died protecting. I also understand that the people who would like me to stay quiet are those who don’t share my views. Sorry.
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 4, 2021
Kiss is dead! If a song even comes on the radio, I turn it off!! From someone who owned every kiss vinyl album ever made. Saw numerous Kiss concerts, NO MORE. You have LOST touch with the heart and soul of this country-it’s called the WORKING CLASS!!
— Ruth Hamilton (@hammy7613) January 10, 2021
It has surprised me, I never thought you or Gene would do anything to threaten the bottom line, but then you both know firsthand where such evil leads. Your bravery makes me proud to be a fan. Now, if you start playing bars of The Clash or RATM during LICK IT UP… ?
— W. Earl Brown (@WEarlBrown) January 10, 2021
Agreed Paul,you absolutely are entitled to personal beliefs. However most people are more interested in you as a musician. Why not have 2 accounts. 1 for politics and another for your career that most people identify you with?
— David Servello (@djservello) January 11, 2021
I often do not agree with your political opinions, and what you say doesn’t change my mind on current affairs. I don’t look at any musician as a news source. You certainly have the freedom to say it, and that’s fine. Have at it. Opinions won’t stop me from listening to KISS.
— Tara (Reilly) Adams (@TaraAdams24) January 10, 2021
It’s not that man–I simply want a full escape from politics at times. If entertainers speak publicly about their political beliefs–it becomes impossible to separate the two. Of course–be you, be proud, believe what you prefer–it’s just frustrating, love KISS
— Greg Young (@Ripskiddo) January 11, 2021
I realized a while ago that a significant % of KISS fans had fallen under the spell of the Trump cult. I had to shake my head when Ace began talking about his support for Trump. I think you and Gene are doing the right thing by speaking up the way that you have.
— Stephen Atchison (@statchison) January 10, 2021
I don’t necessarily share all your feelings and views but I’m a fan fir your music. I can tell you are a good person and that’s what really matters. We don’t have to see eye to eye on everything for me to appreciate you and your music!
— Ryan Kerniskey (@Ski0861) January 10, 2021
