Today, June 11, President Donald Trump attended the opening night of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
His presence marked the first time he had returned to the venue since taking office and remaking its leadership.
The evening revealed much about where our country stands: divided in some ways, determined in others.
This carried a little more weight than your average show tunes or theater traditions.
At the Kennedy Center, @POTUS — a well known fan of musical theater — says the first show he ever attended was Cats and @FLOTUS says her first show was The Phantom of the Opera. pic.twitter.com/CwR9jlMjcu
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 11, 2025
Reactions Reflect a Divided Nation
As President Trump entered the presidential box, parts of the crowd stood and cheered. Some even chanted “USA.”
Others booed. One man reportedly shouted a vulgar insult.
The split reaction wasn’t surprising. It mirrored the country’s broader political climate.
Moments like these remind us: disagreement is part of democracy.
What matters is how we respond — with confidence, not fear.
A Political Statement by Some Cast Members
Roughly a dozen actors refused to perform.
They chose not to appear on stage because of Trump’s attendance and his earlier decisions involving the Kennedy Center. Understudies filled in without incident.
President Trump said he “couldn’t care less.”
.@POTUS at the Kennedy Center on reports that some actors may boycott the show: “I couldn’t care less. Honestly, I couldn’t. All I do is run the country well.” pic.twitter.com/p9r8MhN0EF
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 11, 2025
He was there, he noted, to enjoy a musical he has long supported.
For many, it was a quiet reminder that even the most powerful positions come with simple, human moments — like sitting down to watch a play.
Drag Performers Attend in Protest
Four drag performers attended the event in protest.
They entered the theater with clear intent to make a statement against Trump’s February announcement: that the Kennedy Center would no longer host drag shows or overt political content.
Some in the audience clapped when they walked in. Others didn’t.
But again, that’s part of living in a free country. You can disagree — even strongly — without silencing the other side.
The Kennedy Center’s New Direction
Trump’s February overhaul of the Kennedy Center was sweeping.
He named himself chairman, removed the existing president, and replaced the board with members more aligned with his administration’s goals.
Richard Grenell, now acting director, pledged to refocus the Center’s programming on traditional, family-friendly performances.
These changes drew strong criticism, but they also addressed long-standing concerns: that the Kennedy Center had become more political than artistic, more activist than accessible.
Grenell says the Center was nearly broke when he arrived.
Since then, shows like Hamilton have pulled out, and revenues dropped.
Yet the Les Misérables performance raised millions in donor support — money that may help restore financial footing without relying on taxpayer subsidies.
The Play’s Themes, Reconsidered
Les Misérables tells a story of revolution, justice, and grace.
It’s a powerful work, and one that resonates with people from many walks of life.
President Trump has used the musical’s anthem, “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” at rallies, though the authors have objected.
Some saw irony in Trump watching a show about rebellion.
Others saw a fitting moment: a president pushing back against a cultural class that often views dissent only from one side.
The Big Picture
Supporters of personal responsibility and strong values understand that culture matters.
It shapes what our children see, what our schools teach, and what our public institutions promote.
The arts should inspire, not indoctrinate.
For too long, elite institutions like the Kennedy Center have used public dollars to promote radical agendas.
President Trump’s reforms mark a needed course correction; one that puts American values, not leftist activism, back at center stage.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
