Protests Erupt as Trump Attends *Les Misérables* Performance
During President Donald Trump’s attendance at a performance of *Les Misérables* at the Kennedy Center, protests erupted. This visit marked his first since assuming office, and the moment was captured as several drag queens voiced their displeasure from the audience.
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The president is known to be a fan of this particular musical. It was reported recently that half of the cast chose to boycott the performance due to his attendance.
A number of *Les Misérables* cast members plan to perform one less day at the Kennedy Center next month, directly protesting Trump’s presence. According to reports, between 10 to 12 members of the touring cast will not participate in the June 11th performance, which is scheduled to coincide with a fundraiser associated with the president. The entire cast was offered the choice to stay away, with both the lead actor and ensemble members opting to do so.
Earlier this year, President Trump was appointed chairman of the Kennedy Center after the firing of President Deborah Rutter. Richard Grenell, a former ambassador, took over as interim president. Following this shakeup, several prominent figures, including soprano Renée Fleming, announced they would sever ties with the center. Notably, *Hamilton*’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and lead producer Jeffrey Seller also canceled their scheduled productions.
“Last year, the Kennedy Center hosted a show aimed at our youth. This needs to stop,” Trump remarked at that time, emphasizing the need for the center to reflect the best talents in the country.
Lin-Manuel Miranda expressed a sentiment that this change signifies a departure from what the Kennedy Center used to represent. “It’s no longer the Kennedy Center we remember. We won’t participate,” he stated.
Seller added that Trump’s leadership felt like a shift from a space meant for everyone to something more exclusive.
