Drag Performers Protest Trump Visit Kennedy Center Washington D.C.

President Donald Trump's attendance at a performance of Les Misérables at the John F. Kennedy Center sparked significant protests and controversy. A group of drag performers attended the show to protest Trump's leadership of the center and his pledge to end "woke" and drag programming, receiving enthusiastic applause from some audience members. Meanwhile, several cast members of Les Misérables boycotted the performance in response to Trump's presence, with reports indicating that both lead actors and ensemble members chose not to perform. The event drew mixed reactions, with some audience members booing the president while others cheered and chanted “USA.” Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center earlier in 2025 led to a purge of the board, cancellation of shows like Hamilton, and a decline in ticket sales and subscriptions. Despite Trump's claims of fundraising success, the center has faced financial difficulties and backlash over its programming direction under his chairmanship.