On Wednesday night, drama unfolded both on stage and within the audience at the Kennedy Center, where President Donald Trump marked his presence at the opening night of the musical “Les Misérables.”
This event took place amid tensions surrounding Trump’s recent control over the arts institution.
During intermission, an audience member loudly criticized Trump, leading to applause from onlookers.
A number of drag queens were also in attendance, protesting against Trump’s previous remarks about the Kennedy Center hosting what he termed an excessive number of drag shows.
Meanwhile, a MAGA–Broadway atmosphere prevailed, with apparent supporters of Trump in attendance, including Ric Grenell, the interim Trump-appointed leader of the Kennedy Center, Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, as well as various other administration officials.
Prior to the show, Attorney General Pam Bondi mingled with guests, while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was seen taking selfies.
Trump arrived on the red carpet with First Lady Melania Trump, reiterating his goal to reshape the Kennedy Center according to his vision, stating, “We want to bring it back, and we want to bring it back better than ever.”
President Trump has shown a particular fondness for “Les Misérables” in the past, playing its songs at public events.
The musical, set in 19th-century France, serves as a grand artistic expression that parallels themes of revolution and resistance.
In a coincidentally poignant moment for Trump’s critics, the musical’s intense scenes—with its sounds of gunfire and protests—evoked real-life situations in places such as Los Angeles, where Trump has deployed National Guard troops in response to unrest over his deportation policies.
California Governor Gavin Newsom utilized social media to urge someone to explain the plot to Trump, noting the relevance of the show’s themes to current events.
Among the audience members was Terry Gee, a bartender who has attended “Les Misérables” multiple times and expressed indifference to Trump’s attendance, stating he plans to enjoy the show regardless.
Hannah Watkins, a nurse who was excited to spot celebrities at the event, mentioned that she only discovered Trump would be present due to a notice from the Kennedy Center about enhanced security.
She expressed her anticipation for the performance alongside her mother, saying, “Honestly, we just like ‘Les Mis’ and are excited to be here.”
Typically, presidential involvement with the Kennedy Center has been minimal, focused mainly on board appointments or participation in the center’s annual honors program.
However, upon returning to office in January, Trump decisively altered the landscape of the Kennedy Center, firing the long-standing director and board members and installing loyalists.
This has drawn mixed reactions from artists and patrons, complicating their relationship with the institution and altering its established reputation.
His presence has sparked several controversies, such as a noticeable audience booing the Vances after they arrived at nearby seats during a symphony concert.
Trump has made significant board appointments, selecting individuals including Usha Vance and Pam Bondi alongside notable media figures like Fox News hosts.
Reports indicate a decline in subscription sales since Trump’s restructuring of the Kennedy Center, raising concerns about its future viability and programming.
Some touring productions, like “Hamilton,” have canceled their planned performances at the center, demonstrating a backlash against Trump’s leadership.
Furthermore, multiple artists, including Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens, have retracted their agreements for appearances there.
Even the performance of “Les Misérables” was reportedly affected, with understudies having to fill in for cast members due to announced boycotts.
In spite of these actions by cast members, Trump downplayed the significance, claiming, “I couldn’t care less” about any absences at the show.
Since his return, Trump has adopted a more aggressive stance toward the arts sector, attempting to cut federal humanities funding for arts and culture organizations.
His presidential budget proposal notably included the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, signaling a troubling trajectory for arts funding.
He has also moved to challenge the Smithsonian museums, signing executive orders that restrict their financing and even trying to remove the director of the National Portrait Gallery.
Trump has criticized previous programming at the Kennedy Center, describing it as too politically charged and claiming it featured “some very inappropriate shows,” prompting his quest for a major overhaul.
Once an a-political establishment celebrated for the arts, the Kennedy Center has been under scrutiny since Trump’s ascent to power.
Originally conceived in the late 1950s under Republican President Dwight Eisenhower, and formally established under Democratic administrations, the Kennedy Center’s support has now become a point of contention in the evolving discussion surrounding arts, politics, and public funding.
image source from：https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2025/06/trump-mocked-at-kennedy-center-opening-someone-explain-the-plot-to-him.html
