Gene Simmons explodes at reporter over Trump question: 'none of your f*****g business'

Gene Simmons unleashed a furious rant at a reporter after being quizzed about Donald Trump's job performance, snarling that his political beliefs are "none of your business" as he stormed through a tense red-carpet exchange. The KISS frontman, 75, was speaking at the Kennedy Centre Honors in Washington DC when he was asked whether he supported the way Trump is handling the presidency - a question that immediately set him off.

When a reporter asked: "What's your take of his job performance so far, are you supportive of the way he's handling the office?" Gene shot back: "Why do you care?"

As the journalist tried to explain they were "just interested to know", the rocker launched into a blistering takedown - slamming "It's none of your business." Gene said: "It's all nonsense, it's all clickbait. When I was first started to vote there used to be a curtain and you voted anonymously and you voted your conscience, and nowadays people wanna know who you're voting for.

Who the f**k's business is it? It's none of your business."

Pointing directly at the press pack, he continued: "That's why every person and every vote makes a difference. And you guys enflame the situation by asking 'So, who are you for?'. Why do you care? I'm nobody."

He then added: "I stick my tongue out for a living."

The clash unfolded during the 48th Kennedy Center Honors, which took over the Opera House on Sunday night and celebrated five major cultural figures: Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, country icon George Strait, Tony Award-winning stage and screen star Michael Crawford, and rock band KISS.

Donald Trump praised the honourees during the ceremony, saying: "This is a group of icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted and unified millions and millions of Americans."

He added: "This is perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled."

At the event, the president personally draped a custom Tiffany & Co. medal around each honoree's neck.

Unlike the traditional rainbow ribbon with gold plates, the medal hung from a blue ribbon, featuring the recipient's name on one side and the Kennedy Center with rainbow colours on the other.

The luxury jeweller also donated the medallions.

Despite refusing to discuss voting or party loyalty, Gene did offer pointed opinions on Trump's controversial White House renovations, including a planned multi-million-dollar ballroom.

"I believe the ballroom that's being built, which is going to be twice as big, that is exactly what we need - a facelift," Simmons told other reporters. "Have you ever been to Versailles? The American house of the people is shameful."

Trump also used the night to highlight ongoing renovations at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center itself.

"We are making something really special," he said. "It's been mistreated, a little bit like the White House has been mistreated to be honest with you, and we are bringing it back to a level that I don't think any place in the country will see."