- Trump’s Kennedy Center Appearance Sparks Mixed Reactions: The former president was both booed and cheered during the opening night of Les Misérables.
- Political Tensions Overshadow the Show: Protests, drag queen attendees, and boycotts highlighted backlash to Trump’s control over the arts institution.
- Cultural Shift Under Trump’s Leadership: Major changes at the Kennedy Center, including canceled shows and staff resignations, reflect deepening political divides.
On a night meant to celebrate art and music, politics and protest stole the spotlight. Former President Donald Trump returned to the Kennedy Center on Wednesday evening, where he and First Lady Melania Trump attended the much-anticipated opening of Les Misérables. But the tension in the audience made the show’s themes of rebellion and resistance feel closer to reality than fiction.
Cheers and jeers rang out as Trump took his seat. Some greeted him with applause; others weren’t so welcoming. One audience member even shouted an expletive during intermission—earning claps from those nearby. It was a scene of sharp division, not unlike the story unfolding on stage, where revolutionaries clash with the forces of authority.
Politics Meets Broadway as Trump Reshapes the Kennedy Center
This wasn’t just a night at the theater. Trump’s visit came during a time of sweeping changes at the Kennedy Center, where he’s taken a more hands-on role than any president before him. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has removed longtime board members, installed loyalists, and made himself chairman of the institution.
He’s been clear about his mission: to “bring back” the Kennedy Center, as he sees it, to something more aligned with conservative American values. “We want to bring it back better than ever,” Trump said when arriving on the red carpet with Melania.
Inside, the crowd was a curious blend of traditional theatergoers and MAGA faithful. There were drag queens in protest, a nod to Trump’s earlier comments criticizing the center for hosting drag performances. At the same time, some of his most prominent allies were in attendance—Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services. Conservative commentator Laura Loomer shared videos from a front-row seat.
It all felt less like a night at the opera and more like a showdown.
A Show of Symbolism and Resistance
Trump has long been a fan of Les Misérables, especially the song Do You Hear the People Sing?, which he has used at rallies. Its lyrics, about uprisings and fighting for justice, echo sentiments that both his supporters and critics have claimed as their own. On this night, the musical’s defiant spirit only heightened the drama in the seats.
The show itself was as stirring as ever—three hours of soaring vocals, gunfire effects, and moving choreography. But for many in attendance, the real spectacle was the political undercurrent running through the evening.
As the barricades went up on stage, some in the crowd couldn’t help but draw parallels to current events. In California, protests erupted over Trump’s immigration policies, prompting him to send in the National Guard. “Someone explain the plot to him,” Governor Gavin Newsom quipped online.
Mixed Reactions in the Crowd
Among the crowd were people simply hoping for a night of theater—politics aside. Terry Gee, a bartender and longtime fan of the show, said he had bought his ticket last fall and wasn’t letting Trump’s presence affect his evening. “This is my sixth time seeing it. I’m here for the performance,” he said.
Hannah Watkins, a nurse attending with her mother, only discovered Trump would be there after receiving notices about heightened security. “I’ve seen some famous faces tonight, which is exciting,” she said. “But really, we’re just here for Les Mis.”
Still, there was no denying the impact of Trump’s broader cultural offensive. Under his leadership, the Kennedy Center has lost marquee performances and high-profile guests. Hamilton canceled a scheduled run. Actress Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens backed out of planned appearances. Well-known arts advisors like Ben Folds and Renée Fleming resigned in protest.
Reports suggest that ticket sales and subscriptions have taken a hit. Some cast members of Les Misérables even boycotted the performance, leading to speculation that understudies were filling key roles. But Trump brushed it off. “I couldn’t care less,” he told reporters when asked about the apparent absences.
A Cultural Power Play
Trump’s influence on the American arts scene has been nothing short of disruptive. Since reclaiming the presidency, he has moved to cancel federal funding for the arts and humanities, proposing to shut down the National Endowment for the Arts and its counterpart for the humanities. His administration has also gone after the Smithsonian, aiming to strip funding and replace leadership at its institutions, including the National Portrait Gallery.
The Kennedy Center has been a particular target. Trump has dismissed its past programming as a hotbed of left-wing politics. He’s criticized everything from “anti-police” performances to “lesbian-only Shakespeare.” His appointees—many of them media personalities and political insiders—now oversee its operations.
The Kennedy Center, founded in 1971, was originally meant to be a neutral space celebrating American arts and culture. Backed by both Republicans and Democrats during its early planning stages, it stood as a rare example of bipartisan cultural ambition. But today, it’s become a flashpoint in the country’s broader culture war.
What Comes Next?
Trump’s effort to mold the Kennedy Center in his image is ongoing. Whether this transformation will succeed or backfire remains to be seen. Some donors and long-time patrons are reportedly holding back their support. Others feel energized by the changes, believing the arts world has leaned too far left for too long.
As the curtain fell on Les Misérables, it was clear that the real drama wasn’t over. The battle for the soul of one of America’s most iconic cultural institutions is just beginning. In the halls of the Kennedy Center—and in theaters across the country—questions linger: Who decides what art is? Who is it for? And what role should politics play on the stage?
For now, the Kennedy Center finds itself at the heart of a very American story—one of power, resistance, and the endless tug-of-war over who gets to shape the narrative.
