President Donald Trump made headlines Wednesday night as he arrived at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., flanked by First Lady Melania Trump.
The event, which was shrouded by controversy and high drama, marked the president’s first visit to the storied venue since his unprecedented takeover earlier this year.
When asked about the reported boycott by cast members from Les Misérables, President Trump shrugged it off.
“I couldn’t care less. Honestly, I couldn’t,” he said. “All I do is run the country well.”
President Trump and the First Lady on the red carpet.🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dLlonwxy2d
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) June 12, 2025
Trump appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center just 19 days into the new term in February.
In his view, the facility had fallen into “tremendous disrepair.” From the red carpet, he declared, “We want to bring it back better than ever.”
“As you know, it needs a little help from the standpoint of age and fitness, but it’s going to be fantastic,” he added.
Joined by former Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, who is now serving as interim executive director of the center, Trump noted: “The new era here is going to be something…”
“The bones of this facility are really incredible, we’re going to make it really great,” he noted.
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump and First Lady Melania were greeted with MASSIVE cheers as they took their seats at the Kennedy Center
The whole crowd erupted in “USA! USA!” 🇺🇸
So great to see this! Enjoy Les Miserables, Mr. and Mrs. Trump. pic.twitter.com/DABRgsBS4Y
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 12, 2025
As the president’s motorcade approached the building, protest activity was evident.
A group of drag performers had gathered a block away, reportedly to protest recent decisions made under the new leadership.
Inside the theater, the reaction was mixed: applause, cheers, a chant of “USA,” and scattered boos greeted the First Couple.
"What would you say to democrats who might not want to come to the Kennedy Center because President Trump is in charge?"
"I think you should be tolerant" 🔥@RichardGrenell pic.twitter.com/lMWth9oTvs
— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) June 12, 2025
They were joined by Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, along with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy and his actress wife Cheryl Hines.
The Kennedy Center, long considered a cultural beacon, has seen sweeping changes since Trump assumed control.
In addition to appointing Grenell, Trump announced a performance season dominated by iconic Broadway productions, including Les Misérables, Chicago, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and Back to the Future: The Musical.
First Lady Melania Trump is asked questions by the press on the red carpet at the Kennedy Center:
Reporter: “First Lady, do you remember your first theater production you saw?”@FLOTUS Melania: “Phantom of the Opera” pic.twitter.com/dUvT43rspq
— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) June 11, 2025
Trump praised the direction the center is heading under Grenell’s guidance, though the retooling of the center’s programming has come with criticism.
Some artists and public figures, including Ben Folds, Shonda Rhimes, and Issa Rae, cut ties with the Kennedy Center after Trump took over.
Several LGBTQ-related programs were removed from the schedule, including events associated with WorldPride and a Pride Month performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.
At the Kennedy Center, half the theater just started clapping when a group of drag queens showed up to find their seats at opening night of Les Miserables, which Trump, Melania, Vance and their top allies have all come out to see. pic.twitter.com/1WJHsGL987
— Shawn McCreesh (@ShawnMcCreesh) June 11, 2025
The children’s musical Finn, which reportedly contained LGBTQ themes, was also canceled.
In response, a group of drag performers appeared at the Kennedy Center Wednesday evening, their presence largely symbolic.
Though there were threats of disruptions, no major incidents were reported during the performance.
On the red carpet, Trump shared a bit of nostalgia when asked about the first play he ever saw.
“Well a long time ago, I would say maybe it was Cats,” he said. Melania Trump responded that her first show was “Phantom of the Opera.”
The production of Les Misérables, which opened at the Kennedy Center on June 11, was chosen with care, according to Trump.
“I’ve seen it, we’ve seen it, a number of times, it’s fantastic. It was just about our first choice,” he remarked. “That’s what we got and we’ve got other ones coming, other great ones coming.”
Set during the French Revolution, Les Misérables features the story of Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing bread who seeks redemption, and Inspector Javert, who is unrelenting in his pursuit of justice.
Asked whether he identified more with Valjean or Javert, Trump chuckled and responded, “Oh that’s a tough one, the last part of that question, that’s tough I think.”
Trump has often incorporated music from Les Misérables into his rallies and events.
“I love the songs, I love the play,” he told Fox News Digital Tuesday. “I think it’s great — we may extend it.”
Inside the theater, Trump, 78, was met with a blend of reactions that included both energetic cheers and vocal opposition. Supporters attempted to drown out dissent with chants of “USA.”
Among those in attendance were several drag queens in full costume, in protest of Trump’s previous criticism of drag shows being hosted at the venue.
During intermission, a voice rang out: “Viva Los Angeles!” as the president stepped out of the box.
While the evening was heavy with cultural symbolism and political tension, fundraising remained a primary goal. According to Trump, the night was a financial success.
“The Kennedy Center is coming back,” he said. “It was not properly taken care of and we are taking it back and we are going to turn it back into something great.”