President Donald Trump received a mixed reception of cheers and boos when he attended the opening night performance of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening, June 11, 2025.
The President and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the venue amid heightened security protocols for what marked Trump’s first public appearance at a show at the center since taking control of the cultural institution in February. When Trump entered the theater and stood at the edge of the presidential box overlooking the crowd, he was met with loud cheers followed by noticeable boos from audience members.
Some supporters responded with chants of “U.S.A! U.S.A!” while others expressed their disapproval. The president raised his fist three times toward the crowd before taking his seat, similar to gestures he made at campaign rallies. Vice President J.D. Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance also attended the performance, along with several high-profile administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The evening’s drama continued during the show’s intermission when a woman seated in the orchestra section began shouting and called the President a felon as Trump and Melania stood up. As the cheers subsided, the woman’s voice became more pronounced with calls to convict the Trump and calling him a rapist before security personnel intervened. Another audience member shouted profanity directed at him, which prompted loud applause from some attendees.
Trump had reorganized the institution’s leadership earlier this year, dismissing the entire board and appointing loyalists, including interim executive director Richard Grenell. The President installed himself as chairman after firing many members of the board, prompting criticism that he was politicizing art and subjecting the venue to a conservative takeover.
Several cast members of the touring production chose to boycott the performance in protest of Trump’s takeover of the institution. Trump was asked about the performers’ boycott when he hit the red carpet and indicated he couldn’t care less. Trump stated, “All I do is run the country well.”
A group of drag performers also attended the show as a form of protest against Trump’s stated plans to eliminate drag shows and what he termed “woke” programming from the Kennedy Center. The performers received scattered cheers as they entered the theater. When one group of ticket holders learned that the President and his deputy would be at the center, they reportedly donated their tickets to the group of drag performers.
The opening night performance served as a fundraiser for the Kennedy Center, with premium tickets reportedly costing up to $2 million for gold sponsors. Trump told reporters on the red carpet that the evening had raised over $10 million. Donors could pay up to $2 million to attend the opening night, which included a reception, premier seating and a photo with Trump.
The president’s appearance at “Les Misérables” came against the backdrop of recent immigration protests in Los Angeles, where Trump had sent U.S. Marines and the National Guard to quell demonstrations against his administration’s immigration raids. The musical tells the story of impoverished Parisians during 19th-century French political upheaval and centers on themes of social justice and revolution.
Trump has previously expressed his appreciation for the musical, calling it one of his favorites and playing songs from the show at political events. He indicated that the administration may extend the show’s run beyond its scheduled July 13 final night. The president also spoke about his future plans for the Kennedy Center, noting that the venue needs help from the standpoint of age and fitness, but expressing confidence that it would be fantastic.
The fallout from Trump’s moves at the center has attracted significant attention. The musical “Hamilton” canceled plans to appear there, staff left, and sales of subscriptions and individual tickets for Kennedy Center shows have dropped. Overall year-on-year subscription revenue was down 36% to $2.8 million as of early June for next season. Theater subscriptions were down 82%.
A Kennedy Center official indicated the comparisons reflected in subscription sales were not accurate because the center had launched its subscription renewal campaign later in 2025 than in 2024. The center also launched a new subscription option allowing customers to mix and match genres.
This was not the first time Trump administration officials faced a mixed reception at the venue. In March, Vice President Vance and his wife were booed by audience members during a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra at the same location.
The production runs through July 13 at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated that President Trump cares deeply about American arts and culture, which is why he is revitalizing historic institutions like the Kennedy Center to their former greatness.
