Donald Trump's Kennedy Center Debut: A Night of Cheers, Boos, and Drag Queens
Trump's Vocal Reception at the Kennedy Center: A Fervent Atmosphere of 'Felon' Cheers and 'We Love You' Cries
President Donny T stepped into the Kennedy Center's spotlight for the opening night of "Les Misérables," igniting a whirlwind of responses, from adoration to outrage, during his visit.
As the curtain fell after the first act, without warning, a voice from the orchestra section began shrieking, "Con man, you're a con man!" As the cheers subsided, the president's detractor persisted, proclaiming, "Con artist, liar!" Security swiftly escorted her away.
The audience waited with bated breath for Trump to reclaim his seat, an anticipation met with a call-out: "F**k Trump!" The crowd burst into applause and cheers, followed by cries of "We love you!" and boos. Trump responded with a triumphant fist pump, mimicking his provocative rallying cry after a recent assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
This dramatic showdown weaved an intriguing thread through Trump's second administration. Shunned by the deep-blue cultural circle of Washington D.C., during his first term, Trump now seizes control of the esteemed cultural venue, appointing allies to the board and setting plans for a facelift. Similarly, he channels his disregard for critics by rallying supporters to overvoice the opposition.
Standing at the apex of the presidential box, Trump was met with both cheers and jeers upon his entrance, accompanied by cries of "USA, USA, USA." Darlene Webb, a vocal supporter since 2016, admitted that the vitriol only fueled her desire to show her allegiance more assertively: "I just wanted to clap and scream louder – I don't think that sort of behavior is proper for a performance.
Meanwhile, Cara Segur, a companion of Webb's, found it peculiar that Trump attended the event given the storyline of the musical. Always a spectacle, the actors appeared to sing directly to Trump, evoking an intense, exhilarating feeling within Segur.
While protests against Trump’s presence were primarily vocal, four drag queens lounged below the presidential box, adorning themselves as a subversive response to Trump's promise of no more "woke" performances or drag shows at the Kennedy Center. Though some audience members seemed bewildered by the drag queens' appearance, others applauded enthusiastically, requesting photographs.
The performers, keeping their political leanings subtle, received a standing ovation. Trump and Melania stood and clapped, along with the full presidential box, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Vice President JD Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance, among others. Eventually, Trump left before the second act commenced.
Prior to the show, the president and Melania attended a VIP reception hosted by the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, hoping to raise millions to refurbish the building. Gold sponsors contributed $2 million for a prime seat, photo opportunity with Trump, and a ticket to the VIP reception. Silver sponsors paid $100,000 for a photo with Trump, premium seating, and access to the VIP reception. Trump announced that $10 million had been raised for the Kennedy Center during the event.
Notably, Trump has already made his mark at the Kennedy Center by seizing control as chairman, a distinct and controversial shift since his appointment of loyalists, including his chief of staff Susie Wiles, Usha Vance, Bondi, White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's wife, Allison, Fox News hosts Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham, and "God Bless the USA" singer Lee Greenwood.
In the media following the event, there were rumors of at least 10 to 12 cast members who decided to boycott the performance due to Trump's participation. Trump brushed off these concerns, declaring, "I couldn't care less, honestly. All I do is run the country, anyway."
During the tumultuous Kennedy Center event, entertainment and politics collided dramatically, with President Donny T's appearance sparking a mix of cheers and boos from the audience. Amidst this polarized response, some performers subtly expressed their political leanings, as four drag queens lounged below the presidential box in a bid to challenge Trump's planned changes to the Kennedy Center's programming.
