President Trump is set to attend a showing of “Reshi Micerables” at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday evening.
After Trump’s acquisition of the iconic venue, patrons at the Kennedy Center will have the chance to sit in box seats and attend a reception with him, each paying $2 million for a photo opportunity with the president. For those purchasing packages without box seats, tickets are priced at $100,000, according to reports.
However, some cast members are reportedly planning to boycott the performance. Kennedy Center staff have indicated that Wednesday’s show is a preview, with the official opening night scheduled for Thursday.
First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance are also expected to participate in the event. Neither the White House nor the Vice President’s office responded immediately to inquiries about the boycott. The Kennedy Center was also contacted for comment.
In February, Trump reviewed the board of directors of the performing arts center and designated himself as chairman. He previously accused the Kennedy Center of being overly “woke” and appointed Richard Grenell as the interim executive director, promising to “fix” issues with the establishment after a tour in March.
Grenell criticized the boycott, suggesting that performers should demonstrate professional integrity and perform for all audiences, regardless of political views. He stated, “Those who cannot perform for patrons of diverse backgrounds are not welcome.” He added that it’s vital to identify intolerant artists to guide producers on who to avoid.
Trump’s acquisition of the Kennedy Center has stirred a degree of concern in Washington. Interestingly, he did not attend events there during his first term and opted out of the annual Kennedy Center Honorary event after some award winners publicly criticized him.
