In Washington, an intense scene unfolded both on and off the stage at the Kennedy Center’s opening night of “Les Misérables” attended by President Donald Trump. This marked Trump’s inaugural visit to a show at the institution since his election, amidst his strategic consolidation of control over the arts center. The evening was charged with excitement and controversy, as the president was met with a mix of boos and cheers as he took his seat next to First Lady Melania Trump. Toward the end of intermission, an audience member’s loud expletive directed at Trump garnered applause, while the presence of several drag queens in the crowd symbolized a protest against Trump’s previous criticism of the center for hosting drag shows.
In spite of the backlash, the atmosphere of the event resembled a Broadway rendition of Trump’s political influence. The night was attended by notable Trump allies including Ric Grenell, the temporary head of the Kennedy Center appointed by Trump; Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha. Attorney General Pam Bondi mingled with guests, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was seen taking selfies before the performance began. Laura Loomer, known for her involvement in Trump’s personnel decisions, captured a video from her vantage point near the stage.
President Trump, accompanied by the First Lady, traversed the red carpet when they arrived, with Trump vocal about reshaping the center to reflect his perspectives while removing what he perceives as liberal ideologies. “We want to bring it back, and we want to bring it back better than ever,” he stated. Trump is known for his affinity for “Les Misérables,” a dramatic musical depicting life in 19th-century France, and has infused some of its tracks, like “Do You Hear the People Sing?” into his own rallies. This particular song serves as a revolutionary anthem inspired by the 1832 uprising against the French monarchy.
The three-hour theatrical production featured a dynamic display of singing and choreography, with scenes echoing sounds of explosions and gunfire as the plot unfolded with clashes between protesters and soldiers. For those critical of Trump, it provided an unsettling reflection of real-life events in Los Angeles, where Trump had ordered National Guard deployment amid protests over his deportation strategies. “Someone explain the plot to him,” commented California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Spectator Terry Gee, a frequent viewer of “Les Misérables,” expressed indifference to the political presence, having secured his ticket months ago. Similarly, nurse Hannah Watkins discovered Trump’s attendance through a Kennedy Center security notice and was more enthused by the opportunity to witness the performance she loves alongside her mother. Before Trump’s tenure, presidential interaction with the Kennedy Center was mostly limited to trustee appointments or attending its annual honors program. However, upon his return to the presidency in January, the arts community was taken by surprise as Trump dismantled the center’s existing leadership, inserting his own associates and appointing himself as chairman. Promising to revamp the center’s programming and governance, Trump’s actions have stirred some discord among patrons and performers alike.
In one instance earlier this year, the Vances, along with others aligned to Trump, faced audience disapproval as they arrived for a National Symphony Orchestra concert. Changes in leadership included appointing Usha Vance and Pam Bondi to the center’s board, along with Trump’s allies from media and government. As a result of the upheaval, subscription sales have reportedly decreased, and popular productions such as “Hamilton” have withdrawn from scheduled performances. Additionally, figures like Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens have also canceled their appearances, and consultants including Ben Folds and Renée Fleming have resigned their roles at the center.
Amid the potential performance alterations due to boycotting cast members of “Les Misérables,” Trump remained unfazed by this resistance. “I couldn’t care less,” he remarked. Since his reentry to the White House, Trump’s aggressive stance on the fine arts has included attempts to revoke federal arts and humanities grants and proposals to dismantle the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities.
Furthermore, Trump’s influence extends to the Smithsonian museums, signing orders to limit their funds and attempting to discharge the National Portrait Gallery’s director. He criticized the previous direction of the Kennedy Center for being overwhelmed with political propaganda and inappropriate acts, including a “Marxist anti-police performance” and a “lesbian-only Shakespeare.” The center, funded by both government and private donors since its inception in 1971, has historically functioned as a non-political sanctuary for the arts.
The Kennedy Center originated from bipartisan efforts in the 1950s, initially advocated under Republican President Dwight Eisenhower with Democratic congressional support, culminating in its renaming in 1964 as a tribute to the late President John F. Kennedy.