Next month, when President Donald Trump visits the Kennedy Performing Arts Center for an upscale fundraising event followed by a showing of “Les Misérables,” he will not be watching the regular performers, according to sources cited by Sazua.com.
About 10 to 12 actors from “Les Misérables” are considering skipping the performance scheduled for June 11, when President Donald Trump is set to attend at the Kennedy Center. Sources stated that these artists were offered the choice to avoid performing during his attendance, with lead roles as well as ensemble players being part of this group opting out.
This development underscores tension between the Trump administration and individuals inside the center, as the president has been aggressively working to redefine it, thereby positioning the Washington, D.C.-based performing arts venue at the heart of cultural disputes.
The boycott comes after Trump moved to essentially seize control of the Kennedy Center as part of an extensive initiative by his administration aimed at shaping major U.S. institutions—ranging from cultural entities to legal and educational foundations—to align with the president’s desires.
Less than a month into his presidency, Trump
installed himself as chairman
of the Kennedy Center thanks to a newly constituted board, including several new Trump appointees who replaced trustees appointed by Democratic presidents. He also named Richard Grenell, a longtime confidant already serving in multiple administration positions,
to the director role
earlier this year.
On the same evening when Trump will watch the performance of Les Misérables, he will simultaneously host a fundraising event aimed at supporting the Kennedy Center. This fundraiser was initially
reported
by ABC News.
“We are certainly leveraging the start of ‘Les Mis’ as a chance” to strengthen the center’s financial situation, someone privy to the plans informed Sazua.com.
In his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump employed music from Les Mis during his political events, an action that drew disapproval from the creators of the musical.
according
to the Guardian.
To Sazua.com, Grennell, who stated his role as the president of the Kennedy Center, mentioned he had not known about certain cast members planning to stage a boycott during the event when Trump was present. He also declared that the Kennedy Center would “no longer finance acts of intolerance.”
Any artist not capable of performing for audiences from various backgrounds, irrespective of their political beliefs, will not be accepted,” stated Grenell. “Moreover, we believe it’s crucial to expose these superficial and exclusive performers so that producers understand whom they should avoid hiring—and also inform the public about events that use political affiliations as criteria for attendance. The Kennedy Center aims to serve as an environment where individuals with differing political views can comfortably sit side by side without questioning one another’s voting history, focusing solely on enjoying the show.
Sazua.com reached out for comments to the Kennedy Center, the production company behind Les Mis, and the union representing the cast members.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump has both publicly and privately complained about the state of the Kennedy Center, while Grenell previously asserted that it has “no cash on hand, no reserves.”
“NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST,” Trump
wrote on Truth Social
in February. “RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!”
Artists including
Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds
have resigned from their leadership roles or canceled events at the space in response to the changes, while the center has canceled performances, including the tour of the
children’s musical “Finn.”
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center told Sazua.com, “‘Finn’, which was not yet announced, was canceled for financial reasons PRIOR to the change in Kennedy Center leadership. The authors were also notified prior to the change.”
“Finn” was
commissioned by the Kennedy Center
in 2023. In February, one of the show’s co-creators, Michael Kooman,
told the Washington Post
that before the board met to change the Kennedy Center’s leadership, the “Finn” creative team received a phone call from the center telling it the tour was canceled because “the financials weren’t working out,” Kooman said.
“It’s challenging to overlook the conditions surrounding the cancelation of the tour,” he noted.
Prominent productions such as “Hamilton,” on the other hand,
scrapped planned performances
At the Kennedy Center following Trump’s assumption of power.
During a
visit to the center
In March, Trump criticized “Hamilton,” the popular musical penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda that is
modern telling
from the nation’s inception as seen through Alexander Hamilton’s perspective, featuring a multiracial ensemble.
“I was never particularly fond of ‘Hamilton,'” Trump said to reporters.
But we will be putting on some excellent performances,” Trump said. “Let me tell you, come and witness them; over time, they’ll significantly enhance their physical quality. We’re set to present top-notch productions. What tends to do exceptionally well are those based on popular Broadway hits.
This story has been updated with new information.
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