President Donald Trump showed up at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday night expecting hero’s welcome. He got something else instead.
As he appeared on the balcony during a performance of Les Misérables, some in the crowd cheered. But others made sure their boos were louder.
Footage from the scene, shared by Reuters reporter Jeff Mason showed a wave of jeering echoing through the theater. A few in the crowd tried to drown it out with chants of “USA!”—but the mix of reactions was clear.
Trump attended the show just as protests over his immigration raids were heating up. Demonstrators had hit the streets in Los Angeles, and the outrage was spreading to other cities.
The choice of show didn’t go unnoticed. Les Misérables is about a people rising up against a harsh government. That irony wasn’t lost on many watching.
Back in February, Trump had overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board. He replaced most of the bipartisan trustees with political allies and made himself chair. At the time, he promised, “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.”
But on Wednesday night, inside one of the most iconic cultural venues in the country, the boos told their own story. Watch the clips below from Jeff Mason:
.@realDonaldTrump gets cheered and booed at the Kennedy Center. pic.twitter.com/KgLDhqceLD
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) June 11, 2025
