The Kennedy Center played host to Les Misérables on June 11—but while the drama unfolded on stage, an entirely different kind of performance was happening in the audience. Former President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump attended the show just days before his 79th birthday, marking his return to the iconic venue since his controversial remarks about its leadership and programming earlier this year.
“I’ve seen it many times, it’s one of my favorites,” Trump said of the musical, according to Reuters. “The Kennedy Center is coming back. It was not properly taken care of, and we are taking it back and we are going to turn it back into something great.”The visit came months after Trump criticized the Kennedy Center for what he described as politically charged programming. In a February social media post, he promised changes that would reflect what he called “American values.”
Quiet Protest Behind the Scenes
In the days leading up to the event, reports emerged that several cast members of Les Misérables chose to sit out that evening’s performance in silent protest of the former president’s presence. According to CNN, the production allowed cast members to opt out, and some lead performers reportedly declined to take the stage.
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