President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended a performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday night, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha. The event sparked controversy due to Trump’s recent self-appointment as chairman of the Kennedy Center, following the removal of several board members and the appointment of Richard Grenell as executive director. Trump dismissed concerns over a planned boycott by cast members, stating, “I couldn’t care less, all I do is run the country well.” He claimed the center had been in “tremendous disrepair” and criticized past leadership for hosting drag events, vowing to restore the venue and refocus its mission.

The changes have led to backlash from artists and the LGBTQ community, with prominent figures like Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds cutting ties. Pride Month events and LGBTQ-themed programming, including the children’s musical Finn, were canceled or relocated. Protesters, including drag queens, disrupted Wednesday’s performance in response, drawing applause from parts of the audience. On the red carpet, Trump praised Grenell’s leadership and recalled his first theater experience, likely being Cats, and mentioned having seen Les Misérables multiple times. When asked whether he related more to Javert or Jean Valjean, Trump deflected the question with a laugh, leaving Melania silent. The event highlighted the growing cultural and political tensions surrounding Trump’s influence on national arts institutions.