President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made an unannounced appearance at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday evening to attend a performance of Les Misérables, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha. The show featured a cast of understudies, but the real spotlight was on Trump’s presence—sparking both applause and protest.
The visit came amid rising tensions at the Kennedy Center following Trump’s self-appointment as chairman earlier this year. Since taking control in February, he dismissed multiple board members and appointed former Ambassador Richard Grenell as executive director. Trump had openly criticized the center’s direction under previous leadership, claiming it was poorly managed and overly focused on progressive programming, including drag performances aimed at young audiences.
“We’re going to restore the Kennedy Center to its former glory,” Trump said shortly after the appointment. “We want beautiful, traditional performances that respect American values.”
His arrival at Les Misérables was met with mixed reactions. Ahead of the performance, some cast members had expressed opposition to Trump’s attendance, with reports of planned on-stage protests. When asked by a red carpet reporter how he felt about the rumored boycott, Trump shrugged it off. “I couldn’t care less,” he said. “All I do is run the country well.”
Following the leadership shake-up and policy changes, several high-profile figures, including Shonda Rhimes and musician Ben Folds, severed their ties with the Kennedy Center. A number of LGBTQ-themed events scheduled for Pride Month, including the children’s musical Finn, were either canceled or relocated—fueling further backlash from the artistic and LGBTQ communities.
The night of the show, that tension spilled into the theater. Several drag performers reportedly attended and staged a silent protest during the performance. Social media videos from the audience captured bursts of applause and cheers at key moments—some directed at the show, others clearly reacting to the political undertones in the crowd.
Still, Trump seemed unfazed. He praised Grenell’s leadership and reminisced about his own early experiences with live theater. “I think the first show I saw was Cats,” he said, smiling. When asked if he saw himself more in the role of the rigid Javert or the redeemed Jean Valjean, Trump laughed and said, “Ask Melania,” before looking to the First Lady, who offered no comment.
While Trump’s appearance reignited debates over politics in the arts, it also underscored his determination to reshape the cultural landscape according to his vision—one that favors tradition, nationalism, and what he calls “real American values.”
For now, the Kennedy Center remains a battleground between legacy and reinvention, with Trump firmly at the helm.