President Donald Trump made his first appearance at the Kennedy Center Wednesday evening alongside first lady Melania Trump, delivering a dismissive response to reports of cast members boycotting his visit.
The presidential couple’s arrival marked a significant moment in the ongoing transformation of the nation’s premier performing arts venue under Trump’s direct control.
When questioned about the alleged boycott from Les Miserables performers, Trump expressed complete indifference to their actions.
“I couldn’t care less. Honestly, I couldn’t,” Trump stated firmly.
“All I do is run the country well.”
Reports had circulated prior to the Wednesday night performance suggesting the presidential party, including Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha, would witness the production performed by understudy actors.
These reports suggested that primary cast members had chosen to absent themselves rather than perform before the Trump administration.
A source connected to interim Kennedy Center executive director Richard Grenell disputed these claims to the Daily Mail, characterizing the reports as fabricated news designed to create controversy around the presidential visit.
“It was a fake news from CNN from the beginning – all anonymous sources,” the source declared.
Security concerns had also emerged regarding potential disruptions from drag queen protesters during the evening’s performance.
The outlet further noted that several drag queens assembled approximately one block from the Kennedy Center as the presidential motorcade passed through the area.
The demonstration reportedly occurred peacefully as protesters positioned themselves strategically along the route taken by the presidential entourage to maximize visibility for their cause.
The presidential entrance generated a mixed reception from the theater audience, with cheers, applause and USA chants competing against scattered boos.
Trump’s relationship with the Kennedy Center represents an unprecedented presidential intervention in the arts institution’s operations.
Daily Mail noted that no previous president has taken such direct control over the facility, which has traditionally maintained independence from political interference since its establishment as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
The president announced his decision to terminate the entire Kennedy Center board just nineteen days into his second term, simultaneously appointing himself as chairman of the facility named after the late Democratic president.
Richard Grenell, who previously served as acting Director of National Intelligence during Trump’s first administration, now holds the position of interim executive director while also serving as an envoy for special missions.
Trump praised Grenell’s leadership of the institution, highlighting the upcoming 2025-2026 season lineup featuring major musicals including Les Miserables, Chicago, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, Monty Python’s Spamalot and Back to the Future: The Musical.
The season selection emphasized popular, commercially successful productions over more experimental or politically challenging works that had previously been featured at the venue.
The administrative changes prompted several high-profile departures from Kennedy Center affiliations, including musician Ben Folds, television producer Shonda Rhimes and actress Issa Rae.
Multiple LGBTQ-focused programming events faced relocation away from the Kennedy Center, including activities connected to this month’s WorldPride celebration.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. saw their scheduled Pride Month performance cancelled by the Kennedy Center administration, for example.
The children’s production Finn, which incorporated LGBTQ themes, was similarly removed from the programming schedule.
“The new era here is going to be something,” Trump announced during red carpet interviews, with Grenell positioned nearby.
“The bones of this facility are really incredible, we’re going to make it really great.”
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Author: Jordyn M.
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