President Donald Trump gets mixed reception at Kennedy Center Theater
Washington, D.C.: When President Donald Trump attended the Kennedy Center theater’s opening night production of “Les Misérables” on Wednesday, he received a mixed response; nevertheless, the jeers and yells were quickly overpowered by cries of “USA.”
In response to both cheers and jeers, Trump waved and clapped as he entered the auditorium, according to a social media video.
In another video, a lady is heard calling Trump names like “felon” and “rapist” as another audience member implores her to “stop it.”
.@realDonaldTrump gets cheered and booed at the Kennedy Center. pic.twitter.com/KgLDhqceLD
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) June 11, 2025
The president and First Lady Melania Trump were present during the concert. He has never been to a performance there since he was elected.
"I couldn't care less" is what @realDonaldTrump said when asked what his response was to some Les Mis cast and crew potentially boycotting his attendance at the @kencen tonight
This was the reaction to him walking in – a mix of cheers and boos
More on @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/JVmnjD2IM5
— 𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚 𝙇𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙤 (@KatieLusso) June 12, 2025
Applause erupted as someone swore his name out toward the conclusion of the interlude. The appearance of a number of drag queens in the audience was a protest against Trump’s claims that the Kennedy Center had previously sponsored an excessive number of drag performances.
The event had a Broadway vibe, even if it was condemned. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, were there, as was Ric Grenell, the Trump-appointed acting head of the Kennedy Center.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. snapped pictures and Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke with attendees before the start of the performance.
From a seat close to the stage, conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who has counseled Trump on hiring choices, uploaded a video.
When Trump and the first lady arrived at the Kennedy Center, which he has been renovating in his image while removing what he claims is liberal ideology, they walked the red carpet together.
“We want to bring it back, and we want to bring it back better than ever,” Trump said.
The expansive musical “Les Misérables,” which is set in 19th-century France, is especially beloved by the Republican president, who has sometimes performed its songs at his events.
“Do You Hear the People Sing?,” one of them, is a revolutionary rallying cry that was sparked by the uprising against the French monarch in 1832.