Megadeth vocalist Dave Mustaine recently explained why he believes celebrities shouldn’t publicly voice their political opinions. He joined KISS’ Gene Simmons’ side who warned artists to ‘shut up and do their art,’ as reported by Teletrece.
Mustaine’s statement focused on the impact celebrity political endorsements can have on their fanbase and the importance of keeping voting preferences private.
“I’m a songwriter, and I don’t think people should listen to celebrities about stuff, what they should do or how they should vote,” Mustaine said. “And in fact, in America, that used to be private. Nobody would go around and tell people who they voted for. It was important. It was your right.”
The Megadeth frontman elaborated on how political statements can affect an artist’s relationship with their audience.
“Like I said, I don’t think celebrities should be telling their fans how to vote, because if I say I’m a Democrat, all the people who are Republicans are gonna be affected by that statement,” he continued. “They may say, ‘You know what? I like his music. I don’t care if he’s a Democrat.’ Or they may say, ‘You know what? F*ck him. He’s a Democrat, and I don’t wanna listen to his music anymore.’ In fact, I’m not a Democrat or a Republican. I have my viewpoints, which are pretty strict. But I’m what you would call an independent in America.”
Mustaine’s comments align with Gene Simmons’ previous statement about celebrities who regularly voice political opinions: “Basically, shut the f*ck up. Do your art and shut up. Nobody’s interested in your opinions, that includes me. Who I vote for. Who I like. It’s time for everybody in the entertainment industry to shut their pie-hole and just do your art. Nobody cares what you think.”
This stance represents a notable evolution in Mustaine’s approach to political commentary. He has previously been more vocal about his political views.
Metal Injection reported that in 2016, Mustaine criticized Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders while implying Donald Trump as the alternative by process of elimination. He stated “If you don’t want either one of those things, the other choice is gonna be Donald Trump.” However, he avoided making a direct endorsement and has consistently described himself as non-partisan.
The Megadeth frontman has long maintained his independent political stance. Blabbermouth noted that in a 2012 interview with Artisan News, he described himself as voting for the “lesser of two evils” and has denied being a Republican, calling himself an independent. More recently, in February 2026 on the “Roisin O’Connor’s Good Vibrations” podcast, he positioned himself as a “keen observer” of politics without specifying his voting preferences.
Mustaine’s current anti-endorsement stance appears to be driven by his desire to protect his diverse fanbase from political division. His evolution from offering indirect political commentary to outright rejection of celebrity political influence reflects a strategic shift likely aimed at maintaining unity among his fans across party lines.
Gene Simmons has similarly maintained conservative-leaning views throughout his career. He has praised Donald Trump in multiple interviews and consistently advised fans to think independently rather than follow celebrity endorsements. Both rock icons now share a common skepticism of celebrity political influence, prioritizing their music over political advocacy in an increasingly polarized climate.
