In a surprise appearance, former President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump attended a performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday evening, joined by Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha. Though the production featured a cast of understudies, much of the evening’s attention focused on Trump’s attendance, which drew a range of reactions from the audience.
The visit follows a period of significant change at the Kennedy Center. Earlier this year, Trump was appointed chairman and has since overseen several leadership adjustments, including naming former Ambassador Richard Grenell as executive director. These changes were part of a broader initiative to reorient the center’s programming.
“We’re working to restore a strong tradition of American performance and culture,” Trump said following the leadership updates. “Our goal is to celebrate excellence in the arts and ensure the Kennedy Center remains a world-class institution.”
The performance of Les Misérables unfolded against a backdrop of debate surrounding recent shifts in programming. Some events previously scheduled for Pride Month were revised or moved to other venues, prompting discussions among artists and attendees. A few performers used the occasion to express their perspectives silently during the evening’s show, while others in the crowd responded with applause at various moments—highlighting the dynamic atmosphere inside the theater.
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who gives a shit let them low life’s stay home a bunch of gays anyway