President Donald Trump received a mixed reception of boos and cheers Wednesday night, June 11, as he attended the opening performance of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., marking his first visit to a production at the prestigious arts venue since overhauling its leadership earlier this year.
The President and First Lady Melania Trump were greeted with both supportive cheers and vocal disapproval as they took their seats in the presidential box on June 11. Video footage captured the polarized audience response, with some attendees breaking into “USA” chants while others expressed their dissent. Vice President J.D. Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance also attended the performance.
The evening represented Trump’s inaugural appearance at the Kennedy Center since he installed himself as chairman in February and conducted a sweeping overhaul of the institution’s board of trustees. Trump replaced 18 board members with political allies, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Fox News personalities Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo, and appointed Richard Grenell as the center’s new president.
Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center sparked significant controversy within the arts community. He criticized the venue’s programming as too “woke” and specifically targeted drag shows, pledging to eliminate what he characterized as “anti-American propaganda.” The President stated his administration would ensure programming that “is good and it’s not going to be woke.”
The backlash from Trump’s changes has been substantial. Multiple high-profile acts canceled their scheduled performances in protest, including the touring production of “Hamilton,” actor and producer Issa Rae, writer Louise Penny, and Pulitzer Prize-winning folk musician Rhiannon Giddens. Reports indicate that at least 10 of the 12 actors in the “Les Misérables” cast opted not to perform on the night of Trump’s attendance, with understudies taking their places.
When asked about the performers’ boycott on the red carpet, Trump indicated he was untroubled by the protest. “I couldn’t care less,” he stated. He emphasized his focus on governing, noting economic achievements and tariff collections during his brief remarks to reporters.
The choice of “Les Misérables” for the opening night gala carried particular irony, given the musical’s themes of revolution and resistance against authoritarian rule. The production, based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, tells the story of French citizens rising up against government oppression during the 1832 June Rebellion. The musical’s anthem “Do You Hear the People Sing?” has been used by protest movements worldwide and was notably played at Trump’s own campaign events, despite objections from the show’s creators.
Several drag performers attended the show as a form of protest, occupying seats in the auditorium to counter Trump’s criticism of the Kennedy Center’s previous programming. One attendee shouted “Viva Los Angeles!” as Trump stepped out of the presidential box during intermission, referencing ongoing protests in California against the administration’s immigration enforcement actions.
Trump’s appearance served as a fundraising event for the Kennedy Center, with donors paying up to $2 million to attend the opening night reception and secure premium seating. The president announced that the evening raised more than $10 million for the venue. He expressed plans to renovate the facility, which opened in 1971, describing it as needing “a little help from the standpoint of age and fitness.”
The Kennedy Center has experienced financial challenges following Trump’s leadership changes. Subscription revenue dropped 36 percent to $2.8 million as of early June for the upcoming season, with theater subscriptions declining 82 percent compared to the previous year. Center officials attributed the comparison discrepancies to launching their renewal campaign later than in 2024 and introducing new subscription options.
This was not the first time Trump administration officials faced negative reactions at the Kennedy Center. Vice President Vance and his wife were previously booed in March when they attended a National Symphony Orchestra performance at the same venue.
The evening highlighted the ongoing cultural and political tensions surrounding Trump’s efforts to reshape American arts institutions. His administration has extended similar oversight to other prominent cultural organizations, including Harvard University and the Smithsonian, as part of broader efforts to eliminate what he characterizes as liberal bias in publicly funded institutions.