Trump 'couldn't care less' about Kennedy Center actors' boycott as he and Melania enjoy 'Les Miserables'

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump made quite the entrance at the Kennedy Center Wednesday, June 11, arm-in-arm with first lady Melania Trump.

When asked how he felt about 'Les Miserables' cast members boycotting his appearance, the president didn’t flinch.

"I couldn't care less. Honestly, I couldn't," Trump said bluntly. "All I do is run the country well."

Reports ahead of the show claimed the Trumps — along with Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance — would be watching a performance featuring understudies. But someone close to interim Kennedy Center executive director Richard Grenell told the Daily Mail otherwise, "It was a fake news from CNN from the beginning — all anonymous sources."

There were whispers of drag queens threatening to interrupt the performance, albeit no actual disruptions occurred. A small group did assemble a block away from the Kennedy Center as Trump’s motorcade rolled by. The protest wasn’t exactly silent, but it didn’t derail the evening.

The MAGA leader had already rocked the boat earlier this year by firing the entire Kennedy Center board and bringing in his own team. According to Trump, the old board promoted drag shows that were “specifically targeting our youth.”

Donald Trump wants to make Kennedy Center 'better than ever'

As the Trumps finally entered the venue, there were loud cheers, applause, a USA chant, and some boos too.

This was Trump’s first time visiting the iconic Washington, DC, performing arts hub since pulling a truly unprecedented move: announcing just 19 days into his second term that he was firing the Kennedy Center board and making himself chairman. The venue, named for the late President John F Kennedy, was suddenly Trump territory.

“We want to bring it back better than ever,” Trump said at the time. “As you know, it needs a little help from the standpoint of age and fitness, but it’s going to be fantastic.”

To steer the ship, he brought in his longtime loyalist, Richard Grenell. The former acting Director of National Intelligence is now moonlighting as the Kennedy Center’s interim executive director and special envoy for missions.

Trump has been singing Grenell’s praises, especially with the 2025-2026 lineup boasting major crowd-pleasers like 'Les Miserables', 'Chicago', 'Moulin Rouge!', 'Mrs Doubtfire', 'Monty Python’s Spamalot', and 'Back to the Future: The Musical'.

Drag queens protest Donald Trump's Kennedy Center appearance

Of course, not everyone is loving Donald Trump's reboot of the Kennedy Center. Several artists and celebs have cut ties altogether, including 'Grey’s Anatomy' creator Shonda Rhimes, 'Insecure' star Issa Rae, and musician Ben Folds.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ programming has taken a serious hit. Events tied to this month’s WorldPride were quietly moved offsite. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, had their Pride Month performance cancelled. Even 'Finn', a children’s musical with LGBTQ+ themes, got the axe.

Still, some drag queens weren’t going quietly. A few showed up to protest inside the theater, drawing muted applause as they took their seats.

As Trump posed on the red carpet, he teased a whole new chapter for the landmark venue. “The new era here is going to be something,” he said. “The bones of this facility are really incredible, we’re going to make it really great.”

At a dinner with his handpicked Kennedy Center board — now featuring Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and singer Lee Greenwood — the 78-year-old had some thoughts on the venue’s modern additions.

"It's the last time I'll take a job without looking at it," he joked.

The Trumps' love of theater

While walking the red carpet, Donald Trump had a throwback moment when asked about the first show he ever saw in a theater.

“Well, a long time ago, I would say maybe it was 'Cats,'” he answered.

Melania said her first show was 'Phantom of the Opera.'

The first lady also revealed she was a fan of 'Les Miserables'. “I am, thank you,” she told the Daily Mail. Trump claimed to have seen it multiple times.

“I’ve seen it, we’ve seen it, a number of times, it’s fantastic,” he said. “It was just about our first choice. That’s what we got and we’ve got other ones coming, other great ones coming.”

But Trump laughed when a reporter asked the president whether he saw himself more as Inspector Javert or Jean Valjean — two towering figures from Victor Hugo’s masterpiece.

“Oh, that’s a tough one, the last part of that question, that’s tough, I think,” he chuckled before turning to Melania. “You better answer that one, honey," he quipped.