President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received a mixed reception of boos and cheers Wednesday night as they attended the opening performance of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., marking Trump’s first public appearance at the venue since taking control of the cultural institution.
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.
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 and Trump exited his box, 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, 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 on the red carpet that the evening had raised over $10 million. Trump indicated that donors could pay up to $2 million to attend the opening night, which includes a reception, premier seating, and a photo with the president.
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 in February after firing many members of the board. Trump expressed his plans for renovating the space, which first opened in 1971, stating he wanted to bring it back better than ever and noting it needs help from the standpoint of age and fitness.
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 stated he couldn’t care less, adding that “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. Some ticket holders reportedly donated their tickets to the group of drag performers when they learned Trump would be attending.
The choice of “Les Misérables” for the opening night carried particular significance given its subject matter. The musical tells the story of impoverished Parisians during 19th-century French political upheaval and is inspired by the June Rebellion, an 1832 insurrection by republicans against the authoritarianism of a newly established French king. One person shouted “Viva Los Angeles!” as Trump stepped out of the presidential box at intermission.
Trump’s appearance at the Kennedy Center comes amid ongoing protests in Los Angeles against his administration’s immigration raids, where he sent U.S. Marines and the National Guard to quell demonstrations. California Governor Gavin Newsom, currently at odds with the Trump administration over the policing of anti-ICE demonstrations, commented on the irony of the musical choice.
The fallout from Trump’s changes at the center has attracted significant attention and reactions. 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 next season, which begins in autumn. Theater subscriptions were down 82%.
A Kennedy Center official noted the comparisons reflected in subscription sales were not accurate because the center had launched its subscription renewal campaign later in 2025 than 2024. The center also launched a new subscription option allowing customers to mix and match genres.
Trump has previously expressed his appreciation for “Les Misérables,” telling Fox News he loves the songs and the play. He has played the musical’s anthem of rebellion, “Do You Hear the People Sing?” at past campaign events and rallies. The production runs through July 13 at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House, though Trump suggested the show’s run might be extended beyond its scheduled final night.
