Trump and Melania’s Kennedy Center Night Sparks Heated Online Reactions
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made headlines once again after attending Les Misérables at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 11, 2025.
It was Trump’s first return to the venue since implementing major leadership and programming changes, and the crowd’s reaction was anything but quiet.
As the couple appeared in the presidential box, the theater erupted into a mix of boos, applause, and chants, echoing the show’s themes of rebellion and power.
During intermission, tensions escalated with audience members shouting — some cheering, others expressing their disapproval.
🚨 NEW: In an absolutely embarrassing moment, Donald Trump was just booed mercilessly at the Kennedy Center.
Gotta love it. 👋👏 pic.twitter.com/YW3XE2tRAK
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) June 12, 2025
Trump acknowledged the noise with his familiar three-pump fist, a gesture instantly recognized by his supporters.
Adding to the drama, reports surfaced that several Les Mis cast members opted out of the performance in protest, while a group of drag performers filled seats donated by ticket-holders opposed to Trump’s presence.
The move drew attention to Trump’s previous vow to eliminate what he called “woke” programming at the Kennedy Center, including drag shows.
Observers couldn’t help but note the irony: Les Misérables — a musical centered on oppression and revolution — being performed as Trump’s administration faced criticism for recent protest crackdowns in Los Angeles.
People dressed in drag at the performance of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center, a nod to criticism by @realDonaldTrump that the center put on drag shows before he took over. pic.twitter.com/tPaGBnyGTk
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) June 12, 2025
Despite the controversy, Trump claimed the event raised over $10 million for the Center’s future projects, calling it “an incredible success.”
However, the moment that stole the spotlight wasn’t from the stage — it was a viral photo showing Trump holding Melania’s thumb instead of her hand as they left the venue.
The image reignited online debates about their relationship, adding another meme-worthy moment to the couple’s long list of viral appearances.
In the end, the night became more than a theater visit — it turned into a symbol of America’s cultural divide.
Supporters viewed Trump as reclaiming a national stage, while critics saw an unsettling mix of art, politics, and irony. One thing’s certain: the Trumps know how to make an entrance — and keep everyone talking long after the curtain falls.
