Donald Trump gets booed at 'Les Miserables' performance at Kennedy Center as drag queens receive applause

Donald Trump’s visit to the Kennedy Center for the debut of 'Les Misérables' got cheers and boos from the audience.

Donald Trump’s visit to the Kennedy Center in Washington DC for the debut performance of Les Misérables received mixed reactions, with both cheers and boos from the audience.

The musical, known for its themes of social justice and anti-government protest, seemed to mirror the political climate, drawing a stark contrast between the president’s policies and the production’s message of compassion. 

At the venue, applause erupted from half of the theater when a group of drag queens arrived to take their seats for the performance, attended by Trump, Melania, JD Vance, and their top allies.

The president's presence at the event was met with a divided response, with the crowd reacting both positively and negatively as he waved from the front row. His attendance was partly aimed at boosting fundraising efforts, with tickets for the reception reaching up to $2 million.

Trump went to the Kennedy Center to watch Les Misérables and it turned into a drag show 🤣….love it for him! pic.twitter.com/LHu1cXODeE

— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) June 11, 2025

The performance marks Trump’s first attendance at the venue since making controversial changes to the Kennedy Center’s board. His decisions to replace members with political allies have sparked accusations of politicising the arts.

The decision prompted protests from some cast members, including those involved in Les Misérables, who reportedly planned to sit out the show in protest.