President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump faced a polarized reception Wednesday night as they attended the opening performance of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., marking the president’s first public appearance at the venue since overhauling its leadership earlier this year.
When the couple entered the theater and stood at the edge of the presidential box on June 11, they were met with a cacophonous mix of loud cheers and noticeable boos from audience members. Some supporters responded with chants of “U.S.A! U.S.A!” while others expressed their disapproval audibly. Trump raised his fist three times toward the crowd before taking his seat, employing gestures similar to those he made at campaign rallies.
The evening’s drama intensified during intermission when a woman seated in the orchestra section began shouting at the president, calling him a felon as Trump and Melania stood up. As the initial cheers subsided, the woman’s voice became more pronounced with calls to convict the president and calling him a rapist before security personnel intervened. Another audience member shouted profanity directed at the Republican leader, which prompted loud applause from some attendees.
Vice President J.D. Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance also attended the performance, with Vance having been previously booed at the same venue in March during a National Symphony Orchestra concert. The evening featured several high-profile administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, occupying the balcony level.
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 that donors raised more than $10 million for the evening event, which included a reception, premier seating, and photo opportunities with the president.
Trump had reorganized the institution’s leadership in February, dismissing the entire board and appointing loyalists, including interim executive director Richard Grenell. The president installed himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center’s board and replaced 18 members with political allies, including his chief of staff Susie Wiles and Fox presenters Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo.
Several cast members of the touring production chose to boycott the performance in protest of Trump’s takeover of the institution. When asked about the performers’ boycott on the red carpet, Trump responded: “I couldn’t care less. All I do is run the country well.”
A group of drag performers 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, including one who identified as “Vagenesis,” received scattered cheers as they entered the theater. One person shouted “Viva Los Angeles!” as Trump stepped out of the presidential box at intermission.
The fallout from Trump’s moves at the center has attracted significant reactions and media attention. The musical “Hamilton” canceled plans to appear at the venue, staff departed, 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 the upcoming season, which begins in autumn. Theater subscriptions, normally a major revenue driver for the center, 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 2024. Kim Cooper, senior vice president of marketing, noted that the renewal campaign was just beginning and that the center had launched a new subscription option allowing customers to “mix and match” genres.
The choice of “Les Misérables” for the opening night gala proved notably ironic given its subject matter. The musical tells the story of French peasant Jean Valjean, whom single-minded Inspector Javert pursues over a petty crime as France lurches toward revolution, with young idealists coming together to oppose a government they consider corrupt.
Trump has previously proclaimed his love for “Les Misérables,” telling Fox News that he loves the songs and thinks the play is great. He has played the musical’s anthem of rebellion, “Do You Hear the People Sing?” at past campaign events and rallies.
The president indicated his future plans for the Kennedy Center, expressing his desire to bring it back better than ever. He noted that the venue, which first opened in 1971, needs help from the standpoint of age and fitness but suggested it would be fantastic after renovations. Trump also mentioned that they may extend the show’s run beyond its scheduled July 13 final night.
The production runs through July 13 at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House, with the evening marking a rare public appearance for the Trumps in Washington’s nightlife scene. Trump did not attend any Kennedy Center shows during his first term but has shown keen interest in the venue since winning back the White House.
