President Donald Trump attended the opening night of “Les Misérables,” a musical set against a background of revolution and protest, at Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday.
"We’ve seen it a number of times. It’s fantastic," Trump, who was accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, told reporters at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday night.
The monthlong run of the Tony Award-winning show is opening amid widespread protests against Trump’s immigration policies and his decision to deploy members of the military in response.
Trump defended the decision in response to a reporter's question about the move Wednesday night.
"If we weren't there, if we didn't bring in the National Guard and the Marines, you would probably have a city that was burning to the ground," he said.
"You saw what they did, the damage. So if you don't do something about that, there's something very wrong. We are going to have law and order in our country," he added.
As he took his seat in the theater’s presidential box, according to Reuters, Trump received a smattering of boos and cheers. The audience included "several drag queens in full regalia, likely in response to Trump’s criticism of the venue for hosting drag shows," the news organization reported.
During the intermission, Reuters said, one audience member shouted "Viva Los Angeles" as Trump moved from his seat.
Protesting against power is a major theme in the show, which is centered on student-led demonstrations against the French monarchy.
Trump was asked which of the story’s two main characters he most relates to: Jean Valjean, an empathetic protagonist once jailed for stealing bread to feed his family before committing to a life of service, or Javert, an authoritative police inspector eager to persecute Valjean and jail him once again.
Trump called the question “tough” and left it unanswered before he pivoted to another topic.
The official summary on the Kennedy Center’s website reads, “Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, the musical tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption — a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.”
Songs from the musical have been used in protests against governments around the world since the show debuted in 1980, including by pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong in 2019.
Protesters sang one of the show’s most popular and recognizable hits, “Do You Hear the People Sing?” which includes the lyrics “Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men?”
The show is the first production Trump has attended as head of the Kennedy Center. He did not attend any performances during his first term in office, and in February he replaced the entire board of trustees and had himself named chairman of the board.
Trump told reporters Wednesday that "Les Misérables" was "just about our first choice," even after some concerts were canceled and other productions withdrew after he installed himself as chairman.
"Other great ones are coming,” he added.
A performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus in honor of Pride Month was canceled — and other artists and productions pulled out of planned shows to protest the changes, including actor Issa Rae and a production of “Hamilton.”
“Our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center,” “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller said in a statement in March.
A spokesperson for "Les Miz" said Wednesday, “We are looking forward to performing for D.C. audiences beginning tonight and throughout the engagement at the Kennedy Center, where the U.S. first saw the original production in 1986.”
The performance Wednesday is a fundraiser for the Kennedy Center. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, were also in attendance.
Security around the venue was tightened for the performance, the Kennedy Center said.
“Please be advised the Kennedy Center will be closed to non-ticket holders on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, due to enhanced security protocols,” its website said.
