GENE SIMMONS: 'The Problem Is That Politicians Are Telling You What You Want To Hear'

In a brand new interview with Barron's, Gene Simmons spoke about the fractured state of American politics and the fallout of the 2016 presidential election. The KISS bassist/vocalist — who is a former contestant on Donald Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice" series — said: "I enjoy politics. But I think it's populated by people who have a self-mandated directive to get re-elected. They are not there, in my estimation, to do what is good for the masses. By the way, the current president is doing his job for one dollar. I like that.

"When you want to lose weight, the guy at the gym doesn't tell you what you want to hear, because he's doing what's good for you," he continued. "If you go into the military, you're going to have a drill sergeant and you're going to hate him. But he is going to prepare you to survive. The problem is that politicians are telling you what you want to hear.

"Also, you have to give to your constituency. There's $4 million in research going on in Hawaii on why flies fart. It's called pork. It's why the two most hated professions are politicians and lawyers. Be suspicious of all politicians because both sides give pork to their constituencies."

Simmons previously said that he "didn't necessarily vote for President Trump or candidate Clinton" in the 2016 presidential election, adding that "it's really nobody's damn business" whom he voted for. "I think you'd be surprised by my choice — but he's President Trump, because even if you don't like the man, you must respect the office of the presidency and the will of the Electoral College," he said. Simmons also confirmed that KISS was inivited to perform at Trump's inauguration but turned it down because it was "not a good idea."

Simmons began personally delivering copies of his new box set, "Gene Simmons - The Vault Experience: 1966-2016", in January. It is a comprehensive box set of Gene's solo material that comes packaged in a safe.