Home Celebrity Drama erupts as Donald Trump attends ‘Les Misérables’

Drama erupts as Donald Trump attends ‘Les Misérables’

By
Vann
-

The Kennedy Center hosted a performance of Les Misérables on June 11, but much of the night’s drama happened offstage, where former President Donald Trump was in attendance just days before his 79th birthday.

Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump appeared at the theater to watch the iconic musical, which centers on themes of social injustice, rebellion, and rising up against oppressive rulers. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “I’ve seen it many times, it’s one of my favorites,” according to Reuters.

He also took the opportunity to comment on the state of the Kennedy Center: “It wasn’t taken care of properly, and now we’re going to bring it back to greatness.”

This marked Trump’s first return to the venue after controversially ousting many of its leaders and vowing to eliminate what he described as “woke” programming. Back in February, he declared via Truth Social: “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.”

Quiet Resistance from the Cast

In anticipation of Trump’s attendance, CNN reported that several cast members of Les Misérables chose not to perform as a form of silent protest.

The production reportedly gave the cast the option to sit out that evening, and some key actors took them up on it, opting to remain offstage rather than perform in front of the former president.

When questioned about the backlash, Trump appeared unfazed: “I couldn’t care less. All I do is run the country well.”

Drag Queens in the Audience

Adding another layer to the evening’s protests, NPR revealed that some Trump critics had purchased tickets and donated them to drag performers. One of those performers, Tara Hoot, told the outlet that their presence was a form of protest through visibility: “We came to support the cast and bring attention to the drag ban by showing up and being fabulous.”

The audience welcomed the drag performers warmly, applauding their arrival.

Onstage Drama Meets Real-Life Outburst

The real disruption came during intermission. As the lights rose for the break, the Trumps stood up in the presidential box, drawing attention. At that moment, a woman in the orchestra section shouted loudly, “Felon! You’re a convicted felon!”

The hall quieted, amplifying her follow-up: “Convicted felon, rapist!” Security quickly intervened and removed her as fellow audience members looked on in shock.

Shortly afterward, another voice from a different part of the theater yelled, “F**k Trump!” The expletive sparked an eruption of applause and cheers, quickly countered by chants of “We love you!” and “U.S.A! U.S.A!” from Trump supporters.

In true campaign mode, Trump responded by raising his fist three times, mirroring his iconic gesture after surviving an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania the previous year, when he shouted to supporters, “Fight, fight, fight!”

Ironic Timing and Online Reactions

Clips of the polarized audience reaction went viral online, with many pointing out the irony of Trump attending Les Misérables, a musical centered on a people’s revolution, while deploying the National Guard to address immigration-related protests in Los Angeles.

California Governor Gavin Newsom posted sarcastically on X, “Someone explain the plot to him,” along with a headline about Trump’s Kennedy Center visit.

Social media was abuzz with commentary. “It’s satire in real life,” one user wrote. Another tweeted, “He got more boos than cheers. Wait until he understands the storyline.”

Yet another user remarked, “Donald Trump was just booed out of the Kennedy Center. Embarrassing, but not surprising.”

As Trump continues to polarize public opinion, his theatrical evening at the Kennedy Center served not only as a reminder of his cultural influence but also of the growing resistance to it, even in the nation’s most prestigious venues.

What are your thoughts on Trump’s reception that night? Let us know, and share this story to keep the conversation alive.

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