On Wednesday evening, former President Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance at the opening-night performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center. Walking the red carpet, Trump reiterated his stance on the necessity of federalizing the National Guard in response to protests in Los Angeles, claiming, “Los Angeles right now, if we didn’t do what we did, would be burning to the ground.”
During his conversation with reporters, Trump described the protesters as “radical left lunatics” who are “tough” and “smart,” suggesting that many of them are professionals who engage in violent tactics. “They’re chopping up concrete and using it as a weapon. That’s pretty bad,” he remarked, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
In contrast, California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly opposed Trump’s National Guard deployment. In a speech delivered on Tuesday evening, he argued that Trump's actions have only served to inflame tensions rather than mitigate them.
The evening marked Trump's first visit to the Kennedy Center since he took control of the arts institution shortly after returning to the White House. Notably, he dismissed appointees made by President Joe Biden, which disrupted a long-standing tradition of bipartisan representation. The Kennedy Center board, previously balanced, is now predominantly aligned with Trump's political views.
Trump also terminated the presidency of Deborah Rutter, taking on the role of chairman himself, replacing David Rubenstein. He proudly announced that a fundraising event tied to the Les Misérables performance raised a staggering $10 million. Additionally, he proposed over $250 million for Kennedy Center renovations as part of his tax package currently in the Senate. “We want to bring it back, and bring it back better than ever,” he declared. “It needs a little help from the standpoint of age and fitness.”
On the red carpet, Trump fielded various questions, including inquiries about the status of the Iran nuclear deal and reminisced about the first performance he ever attended, which was Cats. When asked about Elon Musk's recent apology on social media platform X, Trump remarked, “I really haven’t thought too much about it.”
Addressing the plans of some cast members to boycott the performance due to his attendance, Trump stated, “I couldn’t care less.” His presence at the event continued to draw mixed reactions, evidenced by Vice President JD Vance sharing his experience of being booed during a previous performance. He noted, “That’s one of the things you sign up for. There were some boos and some cheers, and I am sure you will have a little bit of both today.”
Since Trump's takeover, several producers have pulled their shows from the Kennedy Center in protest, including the popular musical Hamilton. Recent reports indicated a significant 36% drop in subscription ticket sales, although the Kennedy Center's senior VP of marketing disputed these figures, stating that their renewal campaign had just begun.
The Kennedy Center Honors, a prestigious annual event, is another important revenue source for the institution, attracting a licensing fee from CBS, which has broadcast the ceremony since 1978. With the CBS deal set to expire at the end of this year, Ric Grenell, the center’s president, announced that discussions for a new agreement will commence after this year’s ceremony.
The Les Misérables performance was also open to the public, featuring attendees who expressed their own forms of protest, including two men in drag. Trump has criticized what he perceives as the previous management’s “woke programming,” specifically mentioning the inclusion of “drag shows.” According to The New York Times, the drag performers received applause as they took their seats, showcasing a mixture of support and dissent during the event.
As Trump entered the venue, a blend of cheers and boos erupted, illustrating the divided sentiments surrounding his presence. Among the attendees were notable figures, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr., and actress Cheryl Hines, alongside staunch Trump supporters like Laura Loomer.
Corey Lewandowski, attending for the first time, expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s pretty historic to have the opportunity to come to this very famous building.” Another attendee, Matt Schlapp, chair of CPAC, remarked, “I feel more welcome,” reflecting the complex dynamics of the evening.
