The true revolution took place in the crowd, which included President Donald Trump, even though the Kennedy Center set the scene for “Les Misérables” on June 11.
The musical “Les Misérables,” which tackles themes of injustice, poverty, and revolution against a “tyrannical king,” was performed at the Kennedy Center with Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump only days before his 79th birthday.
Trump reportedly stated, “I’ve seen it many times, it’s one of my favorites,” according to Reuters.
“The return of the Kennedy Center is imminent. It wasn’t handled well, and we’re bringing it back and making it into something amazing again.
For the first time since he controversially dismissed a large portion of the theater’s administration and pledged to purge the organization of what he referred to as its “woke” programming, the President is attending.
In an article published on Truth Social on February 10, he stated, “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.”
arranged a boycott
In the days before the performance, however, CNN verified that some members of the “Les Misérables” cast intended to skip the production in protest of Trump’s presence. In what seemed to be a silent but impactful protest, the production reportedly offered the cast the opportunity to leave the performance that night, and a number of important actors, including lead actors and ensemble members, decided not to take the stage.
Trump responded, “I couldn’t care less,” when questioned about the public backlash prior to the program. I couldn’t, to be honest. I just make sure the country runs smoothly.
Queens of drag
An additional layer of defiant flair was added to the evening when some ticket holders donated their seats to drag performers, according to NPR.
According to Tara Hoot, one of the attending queens, “it was protest by taking up space,” she told the newspaper. “By being beautiful, we wanted to show our support for 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
Hoot and a few other entertainers were welcomed with applause as they sat in seats provided by Trump detractors.
“Felon!”
The drama had spread beyond the stage by the time of intermission. POTUS and his wife rose up in the presidential box as the lights came up at the end of Act I, and the audience roared once more.
However, the DC Cultural Center’s walls echoed more than just clapping and cheers.
A woman sitting in the orchestra section reportedly yelled, “Felon, you’re a convicted felon!” CNN reports.
Her voice pierced the gathering cacophony even more clearly as she said, “Convicted felon, rapist!”
In a matter of seconds, security was on her and hauling her out while the audience watched in disbelief.
“F**k Trump!” a voice called out from somewhere else in the crowd.
Pumping fists
A wave of raucous clapping and applause followed that expletive.
Shortly afterward, resounding screams of “We love you!” were followed by more jeers, and finally, “U.S.A! “U.S.A.”
Trump retaliated by pumping his fist three times in full campaign rally mode. It was an obvious action, reminiscent of his now-famous fist-raising moment following his survival of an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last year, in which he defiantly shouted to the crowd, “Fight, fight, fight.”
“Amazingly ironic.”
Online users swiftly shared videos of the couple receiving jeers and some cheers, with many saying that it was “wildly ironic” that Trump was seeing “Les Misérables” “while he sends troops to attack protesters.”
As Trump was deploying the National Guard into Los Angeles to put a halt to growing anti-deportation demonstrations, he made an appearance at the megamusical, which narrates the tale of disenfranchised people rebelling against their government in 19th-century France.
“Someone tell him the storyline,” joked Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom on X, accompanied by a news clip with the headline: “Trump attends ‘Les Misérables’ premiere as nationwide protests continue.
“I promise that I’m not making this up. Trump is attending a performance of “Les Misérables,” a play depicting a widespread rebellion against an oppressive monarch, at the Kennedy Center. The satire writes itself,” a second person adds.
🚨 NEW: In an absolutely embarrassing moment, Donald Trump was just booed mercilessly at the Kennedy Center.
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) June 12, 2025
Gotta love it. 👋👏 pic.twitter.com/YW3XE2tRAK
Boos outnumber cheers. “Wait until he discovers the storyline of ‘Les Misérables,'” said a third.
Others shared their opinions on the applause and jeers in the meanwhile.
In a moment of utter embarrassment, Donald Trump was ruthlessly jeered at the Kennedy Center. Gotta love it,” another user tweets, adding the audience reaction video as well.
MAGA minds find this difficult to comprehend, but Many people despise Trump,” writes one, while another adds, “It should have been pure jeering.”
Regarding Trump’s June 11 reception at the Kennedy Center, what are your thoughts? Before sharing this story, please let us know what you think so we can start a discussion!
