On June 11, former President Donald Trump attended a Kennedy Center production of Les Misérables — but the real drama unfolded offstage. Just days before his 79th birthday, Trump and First Lady Melania watched the revolutionary-themed musical amid protest and controversy.
Trump, a self-declared fan of the show, called it “one of my favorites.” His appearance marked his first at the venue since vowing to remove “woke” programming and banning drag performances, sparking backlash from artists and fans alike.
CNN reported that several cast members chose to skip the performance in silent protest. Others transferred their tickets to drag performers, including Tara Hoot, who said, “It was protest by taking up space.”
Audience reactions were mixed. As the Trumps rose during intermission, applause clashed with boos. One woman shouted, “Felon! Convicted felon, rapist!” before being escorted out. Another yelled, “F**k Trump,” which was met with cheers and chants of “U.S.A!”