President Trump Booed and Cheered at Kennedy Center Amid Cultural Controversy

Rahaman Hadisur
Jun 12
2 min read

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

President Donald Trump received a mixed reception of cheers and boos as he attended a performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday evening, marking his first visit to the iconic performing arts venue since taking office for a second term.

The event, which also served as a fundraiser for the Kennedy Center, reportedly raised over $10 million, with donors paying up to $2 million for premier seating, a reception, and a photo with the president. Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, arrived in the presidential box to audible reactions from the audience, reflecting the polarized response to his sweeping changes at the center.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has taken a hands-on approach to overseeing major U.S. institutions. In February, he installed himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center after dismissing several board members and appointing Richard Grenell, his longtime envoy, as the center’s new president.

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

The president's involvement has sparked a cultural clash. Critics accuse the administration of politicizing the arts and pushing a conservative agenda. Trump has openly criticized what he describes as “woke programming” and events like “drag shows” at the Kennedy Center. Notably, Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha were booed at a National Symphony Orchestra concert in March.

The fallout has already affected the center’s programming and financial health. The producers of Hamilton canceled their scheduled performances in protest, while internal staff departures and falling ticket sales followed. Year-over-year subscription revenue dropped 36% to $2.8 million as of early June, with theater subscriptions falling by 82%, according to figures obtained by Reuters.

However, Kennedy Center officials pushed back against the numbers, noting that the 2025 subscription campaign launched later than in previous years. “Our renewal campaign is just kicking off,” said Kim Cooper, the center’s senior vice president of marketing. She added that a new flexible subscription model and upcoming show announcements are expected to boost engagement.

Despite the backlash, the Trump administration maintains its commitment to restoring the Kennedy Center’s stature. “President Trump cares deeply about American arts and culture, which is why he is revitalizing historic institutions like the Kennedy Center to their former greatness,” said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.

The evening’s performance of Les Misérables a musical that portrays a popular uprising against an oppressive regime coincided with rising tensions nationwide. Just days earlier, Trump had deployed U.S. Marines and the National Guard to respond to immigration protest unrest in Los Angeles.

As the curtain rose at the Kennedy Center, the scene underscored the growing intersection of politics and culture in Trump’s Washington a stage where every move now plays to both applause and protest.