Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump made a bold return to the Kennedy Center Wednesday night—and it didn’t go unnoticed. As he entered with First Lady Melania Trump for the opening night of Les Misérables, a handful of left-wing hecklers tried to make noise. But almost immediately, their jeers were drowned out by thunderous chants of “USA! USA!” from patriotic theatergoers.
It marked the President’s first public visit to the Kennedy Center since taking swift action in February to clean house at the iconic arts institution. Trump dismissed the former leadership and installed a new board committed to ending what he called “woke cultural programming.”
“We’re going to make it good—and it’s not going to be woke,” President Trump said earlier this year when announcing the change.
Fighting for American Culture
Under President Trump’s leadership, the Kennedy Center is undergoing a much-needed transformation. Liberal activists are crying foul, but millions of everyday Americans are applauding the shift back toward traditional American values, family-friendly content, and patriotic programming.
Predictably, some left-wing performers like Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller and actress Issa Rae pulled out of scheduled appearances in protest. Ticket sales temporarily dipped, but conservative audiences are now filling the gap, eager to support a venue that no longer bows to radical ideologies.
“We want to bring the Kennedy Center back—and better than ever,” Trump declared as he walked the red carpet.
WATCH:
.@realDonaldTrump gets cheered and booed at the Kennedy Center. pic.twitter.com/KgLDhqceLD
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) June 11, 2025
A Show of Strength Amid Liberal Outbursts
Inside the theater, the atmosphere was electric. While a few hecklers hurled obscenities—some shouting slurs like “felon” and “rapist”—their words were quickly overshadowed by proud chants of “USA!” and applause for the President.
Even drag queens in the audience—present as a form of protest—couldn’t disrupt the evening’s momentum. Trump has been vocal about removing inappropriate content aimed at children, saying:
“Only a year ago, the Kennedy Center was hosting drag performances aimed at our children. That ends now.”
Conservative Leaders Rally Behind Trump’s Vision
The evening felt like Broadway meets MAGA. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha were in attendance, along with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Attorney General Pam Bondi. Conservative media firebrand Laura Loomer even shared footage from near the stage.
Trump’s admiration for Les Misérables, with its themes of justice, redemption, and resistance to tyranny, made the event especially meaningful.
Making the Arts Great Again
In a February Truth Social post, Trump laid out his vision:
“We’re bringing greatness back to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. I’ve taken immediate action to remove several board members who don’t align with our vision of restoring a new Golden Age in the arts and American culture.”
While Hollywood elites complain, everyday Americans are embracing a Kennedy Center that respects faith, family, and freedom. President Trump will follow up the evening with a major bill signing Thursday morning, then join First Lady Melania at the annual congressional picnic.