On June 11, the Kennedy Center prepared the stage for “Les Misérables,” but the true revolution took place in the audience, which included President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the Kennedy Center’s production of “Les Misérables,” a musical that tackles themes of injustice, poverty, and revolution against a “tyrannical king,” just days before his 79th birthday.
According to Reuters, Trump declared, “I’ve seen it many times, it’s one of my favorites.”
“The Kennedy Center will return. We are taking it back and transforming it into something magnificent because it was not handled appropriately.
This is the President’s first visit to the theater since he controversially dismissed a large portion of its leadership and pledged to purge the organization of what he described as its “woke” programming.
On February 10, he posted on Truth Social, saying, “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.”
boycott that was staged
However, CNN revealed in the days before the performance that some members of the “Les Misérables” cast intended to skip the production in protest of Trump’s presence. Several important performers, including major actors and ensemble members, reportedly declined to take the stage in what seemed to be a silent but impactful protest after the production offered the cast the choice to leave that evening’s performance.
Before the concert, Trump responded, “I couldn’t care less,” when questioned about the public backlash. To be honest, I couldn’t. I just manage the nation effectively.
Drag queens
Additionally, several ticket buyers gave their seats to drag artists, according to NPR, which gave the evening an additional dash of defiant flair.
One of the attending queens, Tara Hoot, told the newspaper, “It was protest by taking up space.” “We wanted to show up and be beautiful in order to support the artists and raise awareness of the drag ban at the Kennedy Center.”
People dressed in drag at the performance of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center, a nod to criticism by @realDonaldTrump that the center put on drag shows before he took over. pic.twitter.com/tPaGBnyGTk
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) June 12, 2025
Applause welcomed Hoot and a few other performers as they sat down in chairs given by Trump detractors.
“Felon!”
By the time of intermission, the drama had spread beyond the stage. The audience roared once more as the president and his wife stepped up in the presidential box as the lights came up at the end of Act I.
However, more than just clapping and cheers reverberated from the DC Cultural Center’s walls.
CNN claims that a woman sitting in the orchestra section yelled, “Felon, you’re a convicted felon!” out of the blue.
She said, “Convicted felon, rapist!” as the noise from the throng subsided and her voice became even more distinct.
As startled audience members watched, security quickly caught up with her and escorted her away.
Then someone shouted, “F**k Trump!” from somewhere else in the crowd.
Pumping the fist
A flurry of cheering and raucous ovation followed that expletive.
Shortly after, cries of “We love you!” were heard in return, followed by more jeers, and finally, “U.S.A! America!
Trump pumped his fist in the air three times in response, going into full campaign rally mode. His now-famous fist-raising moment after surviving an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last year, when he defiantly exclaimed to the crowd, “Fight, fight, fight,” was mirrored in the unmistakable gesture.
“Amazingly ironic”
Many internet users said that it’s “wildly ironic” that Trump was seeing “Les Misérables” “while he sends troops to attack protesters” after videos of the pair being greeted with jeers and some cheers went viral.
His participation in the megamusical, which recounts the tale of disaffected French citizens rebelling against their government in the 19th century, coincides with Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles to put a halt to growing anti-deportation demonstrations.
Democratic governor of California Gavin Newsom joked on X, “Someone explain the plot to him,” and included a news footage with the heading, “Trump attends ‘Les Misérables’ premiere as protests persist across the country.”
“I promise that this is not a fabrication. Trump [at] the Kennedy Center to attend the play “Les Misérables,” which tells the story of a mass rebellion against a despotic ruler. A second adds, “The satire writes itself.”
🚨 NEW: In an absolutely embarrassing moment, Donald Trump was just booed mercilessly at the Kennedy Center.
Gotta love it. 👋👏 pic.twitter.com/YW3XE2tRAK
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) June 12, 2025
More jeers than applause. “Await his discovery of ‘Les Misérables’ plot,” a third person said.
Others, meanwhile, shared their opinions on the applause and jeers.
At the Kennedy Center, Donald Trump was ruthlessly jeered in a moment of utter embarrassment. Another user who included the audience reaction video writes, “You have to love it.”
“This is difficult for MAGA brains to comprehend, but One says, “A lot of people hate Trump,” while another adds, “It should have been all boos.”
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