Exclusive | Gene Simmons dishes on illegal immigration, Zohran Mamdani and his recent car crash

Gene Simmons, the frontman of KISS, publicly endorsed the White House’s recent measures against illegal immigration as he headed to Washington. The 76‑year‑old Israeli‑born rocker was in the capital for two major appearances that would have him walk from the Kennedy Center to the halls of Congress.

During an interview with The Post, Simmons explained that people looking to enter the United States should follow the same queuing system he did when he immigrated as a child. “There are laws that are on the books. And if you break the law, you’re a criminal. Illegal immigrants, undocumented – everybody uses a political term,” he observed.

He continued, “An illegal immigrant is a criminal. And I understand everybody comes from hardship. But you’re not going to win that argument with me. My mother was in a concentration camp and our whole family was wiped out” in the Holocaust, recounting his personal history.

The star outlined his whirlwind schedule, which includes a Senate hearing that will address what he sees as a new “loophole” that threatens the livelihoods of young musicians, including his own children.

Simmons, who is due to be honored at the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday alongside surviving members of KISS, also announced that he would be greeting President Trump, who named the awardees earlier in the year.

He highlighted that many migrants come from authoritarian regimes, pointing to Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro as an example. “I know it’s tough, it’s really tough. But we have a process and my mother and I both waited years before we were allowed into America. The American Dream is alive,” he said.

The Queens‑born musician was cautious about newly naturalized American and Socialist Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani, but he welcomed the opportunity to listen closely. “Give the guy a chance and see what he does. Before the election everybody had lots of things to say. He has been duly elected by the population in New York,” he added, weeks after Trump’s unexpected meeting with the mayor at the Oval Office.

When asked about concerns regarding political figures with controversial pasts, Simmons remarked on the example of Werner von Braun, a former Nazi who was hired by the United States government. “In fact when KISS went out on tour we played the Von Braun Civic Center in Alabama,” he recalled.

During a Senate Judiciary subpanel hearing on December 9, Simmons will attempt to use his well‑known loquacious style to sway lawmakers on the American Music Fairness Act. “You can call me Mr. Glib,” he joked.

He emphasized the disconnect between radio revenue and artist compensation. “America’s music is the world’s music. Our stars are worldwide stars. Shockingly, Elvis, Frank Sinatra – even our brotherly honoree George Strait himself, who is being honored at the Kennedy Center Honors, don’t get paid for the songs that they sing on radio. This is about recording artists who simply have never gotten paid. It’s insanity.”

He queried, “Why is it fair that radio can make almost $14 billion this last year and the artists that they play on the radio get zero? How does that work out?” His daughter, Sophie Simmons, a K‑pop songwriter and performer with a billion streams, receives only about $6,000.

“You think I’m going to allow radio not to pay my children? I know where you live,” he said, punctuating his point with a mild profanity.

According to the rocker, the bill—backed by bipartisan support—has a real chance of becoming law even though the industry previously stalled similar efforts. “I know the president a little bit. We spent some time together before he became political. He will sign this,” Simmons claimed.

When pressed about his personal fortune, Simmons declined to confirm an estimated $400 million amassed over decades in the music business. He noted that KISS generated wealth through touring, merchandise, and record sales, and quipped, “I’m successful. I was thinking of buying Rhode Island,” in a dry tone.

During the interview, the disciplined rocker also discussed an October incident in which his SUV collided with a parked vehicle on Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway. He attributed the accident to dehydration, explaining, “Totally my fault. That day I had meetings from 7 am until late at night … I didn’t drink water the whole day. And I drank a lot of coffee. It’s called dehydration. You know,  big word – like gymnasium,” he said. “Everything’s fine, heart’s fine. They closed down the highway. It was crazy.”