President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to view opening night of "Les Miserables," at the Kennedy Center, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Image: AP)
Grainy footage has emerged showing a crowd of theatregoers booing and jeering as President Donald Trump settled into his seat for the premiere of Les Mise？rables.
The atmosphere was tense at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, with some cast members reportedly considering pulling out of Wednesday's performance upon learning of the President's attendance. Trump has drawn ire from both performers and patrons after announcing significant changes to the centre's programming earlier this year, following his controversial election as chairman.
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His plans notably included slashing what he termed "woke" shows, such as drag performances.
As Mr Trump and First Lady Melania made their entrance before the curtain rose on Les Mis, the audience's discontent was palpable. This marked Trump's inaugural visit to the national cultural hub since his re-election and the sweeping changes he implemented.
Notably, there were vacant seats scattered throughout the venue, including in the balconies and orchestra section, amid rumours that some attendees had chosen to shun the event. It is believed that understudies stepped in for principal actors who also opted to avoid the evening in protest of Trump's appearance, reports the Mirror.
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart the White House to attend opening night of "Les Miserables," at the Kennedy Center, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Image: AP)
The Mirror is currently seeking confirmation on these developments and the exact number of cast members who ultimately decided not to perform.
Since Mr Trump's takeover, sales of subscription packages have reportedly dropped, and several touring productions, including Hamilton, have cancelled their planned runs at the centre. Prominent figures such as actor Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens have pulled out of scheduled appearances, and Kennedy Center consultants, including musician Ben Folds and singer Rene？e Fleming, have resigned.
Despite this, Mr Trump, dressed in a tuxedo, sat proudly for the performance on Wednesday. The politician has a particular fondness for Les Mise？rables, the epic musical set in 19th-century France, and has occasionally played its songs at his events.
One of these, Do You Hear the People Sing? is a revolutionary anthem inspired by the 1832 rebellion against the French king.
Trump is BOOOOED at the Kennedy Center. pic.twitter.com/tiqZYhmHxB
— IT’S TIME FOR JUSTICE (@LiddleSavages) June 12, 2025
Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, were also present. Ric Grenell, the Trump-appointed interim leader of the Kennedy Center, stood nearby as the President spoke to reporters.
Attorney General Pam Bondi mingled with other guests. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr took selfies with attendees.
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However, the MAGA takeover was met with jeers in the auditorium itself. People on social media also pointed out the irony that Mr Trump chose to see a performance about a mass uprising against a tyrannical king.
Images on social media show audience members dressed in drag, a nod to Mr Trump's criticism that the venue put on drag shows before his takeover. However, some reports suggest a minority in the audience cheered the President's arrival.
When informed by reporters that some cast members were believed to have withdrawn due to his attendance, a seemingly unconcerned Mr Trump replied: "I couldn't care less."
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