The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. hosted a performance of Les Misérables on June 11, but the real drama that night took place offstage, in the audience, where President Donald Trump’s appearance stirred controversy and reactions that rivaled the show itself.
Just a few days before turning 79, Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the Kennedy Center to watch the legendary musical — a production centered on themes of injustice, poverty, and rebellion against tyranny.
“I’ve seen it many times, it’s one of my favorites,” Trump reportedly told Reuters. “The Kennedy Center is coming back. It was not properly taken care of, and we are taking it back and turning it into something great.”
This marked Trump’s first public return to the theater since he dismissed much of the Kennedy Center’s leadership and vowed to eliminate what he described as its “woke” programming. “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA,” he had written in a Truth Social post on February 10.
A Planned Boycott
In the days before the performance, CNN confirmed that several members of the Les Misérables cast had chosen to boycott the show in protest of Trump’s attendance. The production reportedly gave the cast permission to skip that evening’s performance, and several lead actors, as well as ensemble members, quietly opted out.
When asked about the controversy before the show began, Trump brushed it off. “I couldn’t care less. Honestly, I couldn’t. All I do is run the country well,” he said.
Drag Queens Take the Spotlight
According to NPR, some ticket-holders who opposed Trump donated their seats to drag performers, adding a layer of symbolic defiance to the evening. “It was protest by taking up space,” said Tara Hoot, one of the queens who attended. “We wanted to support the artists and bring attention to the drag ban at the Kennedy Center by showing up and being gorgeous.”
The group of performers, dressed in full drag glam, received applause as they took their seats, making their silent protest impossible to miss.
Tension in the Audience
By intermission, the drama had reached a new level. As the lights came up at the end of Act I, Trump and Melania stood in the presidential box, drawing a wave of reactions. Some audience members cheered, others booed, and one woman in the orchestra section shouted, “Felon, you’re a convicted felon!” followed by, “Convicted felon, rapist!”
Security quickly escorted her out, but the outburst set off a chain reaction in the crowd. Another voice yelled, “F**k Trump!” which was met with thunderous applause and cheering from one side of the theater — and chants of “We love you!” and “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” from the other.
Trump, ever the showman, responded by pumping his fist in the air three times, echoing the gesture he famously made after surviving an assassination attempt the previous year, when he shouted “Fight, fight, fight!” to his supporters.
Online Reactions and Irony
Videos of the moment spread across social media within minutes, sparking widespread debate. Many users pointed out the irony of Trump attending Les Misérables, a story about oppressed citizens rising against an unjust ruler. “Wildly ironic,” one post read, “that Trump’s at Les Misérables while sending troops to silence protesters.”
At the same time Trump was attending the show, his administration had reportedly deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to escalating anti-deportation protests. California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked the situation on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Someone explain the plot to him,” alongside a headline that read: “Trump attends Les Misérables premiere as protests persist across the country.”
Another user quipped, “Trump at Les Misérables, a play about a revolution against a tyrannical king. The satire writes itself.” Others chimed in with similar sarcasm: “More boos than cheers. Wait until he figures out what Les Misérables is actually about.”
While critics celebrated the audience’s reaction, some of Trump’s supporters defended him, claiming the boos were exaggerated or politically motivated. But the overall sentiment online leaned toward amusement at what many called “a perfectly poetic scene.”
The ‘Thumb-Hold’ Moment
As if the night hadn’t already captured enough attention, photos of the couple leaving the venue quickly went viral. One image showed Trump awkwardly gripping what appeared to be just Melania’s thumb instead of her full hand. The picture sparked immediate speculation about their relationship, with many suggesting that she appeared distant or uncomfortable.
Social media erupted with commentary, memes, and jokes. “The thumb-hold says it all,” one post read, while others compared it to past viral moments where Melania seemed to avoid holding Trump’s hand — such as during a 2017 trip to Israel and again during a 2020 debate appearance.
Melania later addressed such moments in her 2024 memoir Melania, explaining that they were often misinterpreted and had more to do with timing and logistics than marital tension. Still, the internet has a way of running wild with these small details, and this one was no exception.
By the next morning, “Les Misérables,” “Trump,” and “Melania’s thumb” were all trending topics online — proof that even a night at the theater can turn into a full-blown political spectacle when the former president is in the audience.
In the end, the evening at the Kennedy Center wasn’t just about a musical. It became a snapshot of the current American divide — a mix of art, politics, protest, and viral culture all colliding in one dramatic, unforgettable night.