Donald Trump went to the Kennedy Center to see Les Misérables the other night, and honestly, it got weird fast. People there didn’t all agree on how they felt about him being there. Some clapped and cheered. Others? Straight-up boos. And then there was this chant of “USA!” out of nowhere, and Trump joined in. You could tell the crowd was really split. It wasn’t your regular quiet theater night — the mood felt tense, kind of unpredictable. The show went on, but you could feel the energy was off.
Some of the Cast Didn’t Perform at All
Here’s the thing that stood out most: around a dozen performers didn’t even show up. They had the option to sit this one out, and a bunch of them took it. This wasn’t just stage fright — it was a clear message. Drag performances got banned. Shows got canceled. People in the arts world are upset, and this protest from the cast was their way of pushing back. It wasn’t loud, but it definitely said a lot.
Trump Didn’t Seem Bothered
Trump just got BOOED after arriving at the Kennedy Center for a performance of Les Misérables. There were some cheers, which is expected because he and his buddies have taken over the Kennedy Center and installed their own. pic.twitter.com/B2C80P2J4V
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) June 12, 2025
Trump, as usual, brushed it all off. When someone asked about the reaction, he basically said he didn’t care. “I run the country well,” was his reply. That’s classic Trump, right? His guy, Richard Grenell — who’s now leading the center — called the protesting artists “vapid and intolerant.” So yeah, they’re not backing down. You’ve got one side saying artists are too political, and the other side saying their creative freedom’s under attack.
There’s a Bigger Battle Going On Here
This isn’t just about a single night or one show. Ever since Trump took over the board at the Kennedy Center earlier this year, the whole vibe has shifted. He removed the old leadership, brought in his own team, and now things are different. Big-name shows like Hamilton backed out. Some performers resigned. And events that used to feel open and inclusive suddenly feel more restricted. What’s happening here is bigger than just Trump showing up — it’s about whether the arts can stay independent, or if they’re getting pulled into politics.
