Cast members of Les Misérables are refusing to perform for U.S. President Donald Trump when he attends a show at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. next month.
Sources told CNN that cast members are boycotting Trump, with around 12 performers refusing to go onstage for the opening night performance on June 11.
Highlights
- Les Misérables cast members are boycotting performing for President Trump during the June 11 opening night at the Kennedy Center.
- Trump will headline a June 11 fundraiser at the Kennedy Center with VIP packages costing up to $2 million.
- In February 2025, Trump ousted 18 Kennedy Center board members and appointed himself chairman, stirring controversy.
- Interim Executive Director Ric Grenell condemns the boycott, stating performers should serve all patrons, regardless of politics.
It is understood the cast members were given the option to perform or sit out while Trump was in attendance.
Trump will attend the opening show of Les Mis but some cast members won’t take part
Image credits: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
According to CNN's sources, both leading cast members and ensemble performers are among those choosing to sit out.
In addition to the Les Mis opening night, June 11 marks a fundraiser hosted by the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees, ABC News reported.
Trump is expected to headline the fundraiser, which includes a VIP reception before the opening show of Les Mis.
The highest-tier sponsorship for the event, labeled ‘Gold,’ is priced at $2 million and offers access to a private box during the performance, premium seating, VIP reception entry for 10 guests, and a photo opportunity with Trump, according to ABC.
The ‘Silver’ sponsorship package, set at $100,000, includes two seats for the performance, VIP reception access for two, and a photo with Trump.
The expected boycott comes after Trump initiated a significant overhaul of the Kennedy Center when he took office.
Image credits: James Gourley/Getty Images
In early February 2025, Trump removed 18 existing board members, including Chairman David Rubenstein, and appointed himself as the new chairman.
Many of the dismissed board members were appointed during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Before the takeover, the Kennedy Center historically maintained a bipartisan board.
Trump's new appointments included political allies such as Richard Grenell as interim executive director.
Grenell told CNN this week he was not aware of a planned boycott.
“Any performer who isn’t professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won’t be welcomed,” he said.
“In fact, we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn’t hire—and that the public knows which shows have political litmus tests to sit in the audience.
“The Kennedy Center wants to be a place where people of all political stripes sit next to each other and never ask who someone voted for but instead enjoys a performance together.”
Trump had accused the center of hosting drag shows and other performances he deemed “anti-American propaganda” and announced his vision for a “Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”
Trump initiated a takeover of the Kennedy Center in February
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
“I am pleased to announce that Ric Grenell will serve as the Interim Executive Director of The Kennedy Center,” Trump posted on Truth Social last week.
“Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center.
“NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!”
Several artists and performers chose to cancel their scheduled performances at the Kennedy Center in protest of Trump’s takeover.
The opera Fellow Travelers, the play Eureka Day, and a planned performance of Hamilton were all cancelled after the change of leadership.
“I never liked Hamilton very much,” Trump told reporters during a visit to the center in March.
And it’s not the first time Trump has hit out at the popular play; he previously slammed the cast of Hamilton for “harassing” former Vice President Mike Pence.
Image credits: Mike Stoll/Unsplash
When Pence was VP-elect in 2016, he was booed while entering a Broadway production of the show.
After the performance, cast member Brandon Dixon thanked him for attending and read him a letter.
“We, sir—we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights,” Dixon said.
“We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.”
Trump responded online: “Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing. This should not happen.”
“The theater must always be a safe and special place. The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize,” he added.