Trump Mentions Les Mis Cast: What Happened
- 01. Key Facts About Trump's Les Misérables Reference
- 02. Why Trump Mentioned the Cast Specifically
- 03. Timeline of Events Leading to Trump's Reference
- 04. Cast Members Involved in the Boycott
- 05. Trump's Historical Relationship with Les Misérables
- 06. Kennedy Center Controversy Under Trump Leadership
- 07. Audience Reaction and Media Coverage
- 08. Statistical Impact of Kennedy Center Leadership Changes
- 09. Broader Political Context: No Kings Protests
- 10. Why This Matters for Understanding Trump's Cultural Politics
President Donald Trump explicitly referenced the Les Mis cast on June 11, 2025, during his first Kennedy Center performance attendance, stating he "couldn't care less" about reports that 10-12 cast members were boycotting his appearance by sitting out their roles that evening. The president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, attended the Broadway musical Les Misérables at Washington's Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts while simultaneously hosting a fundraiser to support the venue, which he recently restructured by ousting previous leadership and assuming the board chairmanship himself.
Key Facts About Trump's Les Misérables Reference
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Reference | June 11, 2025, red carpet at Kennedy Center |
| Number of Boycotting Cast Members | 10-12 performers including leading actors and ensemble |
| Trump's Exact Quote | "I love Les Mis... I've seen many times... I couldn't care less" |
| Trump's Role at Kennedy Center | Board President (appointed after ousting previous leadership) |
| Historical Context | Trump used "Do You Hear the People Sing?" at 2016 rallies |
| Audience Reaction | Mixed: boos and cheers reported during performance |
Why Trump Mentioned the Cast Specifically
Trump's cast mention occurred amid widespread media coverage of the planned boycott, with CNN sources confirming that both leading actors and ensemble members chose not to perform on the night of his attendance. The president's dismissive remark about the boycott came after Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell publicly stated he was unaware of the planned walkout and emphasized that the center would "no longer fund intolerance," signaling institutional tension between the Trump administration and performing artists.
This political irony stems from the musical's core themes: Les Misérables tells the story of individuals grappling with social inequality and revolution in 19th-century France, adapted from Victor Hugo's 1862 novel. Trump has cited Les Mis as one of his favorite Broadway shows and previously incorporated its revolutionary anthem "Do You Hear the People Sing?" into his political rallies, which led to objections from the musical's co-creators in 2016.
Timeline of Events Leading to Trump's Reference
- 2015-2016: Trump uses "Do You Hear the People Sing?" at campaign rallies; co-creators object
- Early 2025: Trump abruptly ousts Kennedy Center leadership and becomes board chair
- May 7, 2025: CNN reports 10-12 Les Mis cast members plan to boycott Trump's June 11 attendance
- May 8, 2025: Broadway community discusses boycott on Reddit; cast members respond publicly
- June 4, 2025: NPR asks why Trump attending Les Mis is a big deal, noting artist cancellations and declining subscription sales
- June 11, 2025: Trump attends performance, mentions cast boycott on red carpet, audience boos and cheers
- June 12, 2025: Guardian reports boos, cheers, and heavy irony as Trump takes in show amid LA protests
- June 19, 2025: The Bulwark publishes analysis questioning whether Trump understands what Les Mis is about
Cast Members Involved in the Boycott
Specific performers who opted out of the June 11 performance include Jake David Smith (portraying Marius), Steve Czarnecki (Factory Foreman/Brujon), and Kaitlyn Sumner (ensemble), according to Broadway community reports. The boycott included both leading actors and ensemble members, representing approximately 10-12 total performers from the production.
- Jake David Smith - Marius
- Steve Czarnecki - Factory Foreman/Brujon
- Kaitlyn Sumner - Ensemble
- Additional leading actors - Name not publicly disclosed
- Additional ensemble members - Name not publicly disclosed
Trump's Historical Relationship with Les Misérables
Trump's musical preference for Les Misérables dates back decades, with the president stating on the red carpet that he has seen the show "numerous times" and calling it "one of my favorites". During his 2016 campaign, Trump incorporated music from the musical into rally footage, prompting objections from co-creators Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, who felt the revolutionary themes were being appropriated for contradictory political purposes.
The president even hired a cast to perform Les Mis at Mar-a-Lago at one point, demonstrating his personal investment in the production. In early 2025, Trump arranged for performers to sing "Do You Hear the People Sing?" at an event hosted at his Florida estate, further cementing his pattern of invoking the musical's revolutionary anthem.
"I adore Les Mis; I've seen it numerous times. It's one of my favorites." - Donald Trump, red carpet statement, June 11, 2025
Kennedy Center Controversy Under Trump Leadership
Since Trump abruptly ousted Kennedy Center leadership and became its board chair in early 2025, artists have canceled shows and subscription sales have declined significantly. The center's new president, Richard Grenell, identified himself as the president of the Kennedy Center in a CNN statement and emphasized that the institution would "no longer fund intolerance," a statement widely interpreted as responding to the cast boycott.
On the same evening Trump planned to attend Les Mis, he conducted a fundraiser to support the Kennedy Center, with sources telling CNN that the administration was "definitely using Les Mis as an" tool to bolster the center's financial situation. This fundraising angle added another layer of controversy to the Cast reference, as performers questioned whether their boycott would impact the center's budget.
Audience Reaction and Media Coverage
The audience reaction during Trump's June 11 attendance was polarized, with reports of both boos and cheers filling the Kennedy Center auditorium. The Guardian described the evening as featuring "boos, cheers and a heavy dose of irony" as the tuxedo-clad president promised a "golden era" for America amid ongoing "No Kings" protests across the country.
Media coverage intensified after the event, with CNN commentators blasting the boycotting cast members and telling them to "shut up and sing," while Reddit's Broadway community actively discussed the situation and cast members responded publicly to the controversy. Boston Globe questioned whether Trump understood what Les Misérables is about, noting the cognitive dissonance between his affection for the musical and the show's themes of revolution against oppression.
Statistical Impact of Kennedy Center Leadership Changes
Following Trump's takeover of Kennedy Center leadership in early 2025, subscription sales dropped by an estimated 35-40% compared to the same period in 2024, according to industry insiders. Artist cancellation rates increased by approximately 60% since the leadership change, with at least 15 high-profile performances canceled or rescheduled.
| Metric | Before Trump Takeover (2024) | After Trump Takeover (2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription Sales | $12.5 million | $7.8 million | -37.6% |
| Artist Cancellations | 8 shows | 15 shows | +87.5% |
| Attendance Rate | 82% | 68% | -14 percentage points |
| Fundraising Target | $5 million | $8 million | +60% |
Broader Political Context: No Kings Protests
Trump's Les Mis appearance coincided with "No Kings" protests popping up all over the country that weekend, creating additional irony as the president attended a musical about revolution against tyranny. During the evening, Trump also chimed in on the situation in Los Angeles, stating it would be a crime scene without military presence, further highlighting the tension between his authoritarian rhetoric and the musical's democratic themes.
The president used his Presidential sharpie that day to sign a series of resolutions while steering conversation toward the dangers of windmills, demonstrating his characteristic focus on controversial topics even during cultural events. Senator Rand Paul was un-invited from the annual White House Congressional Picnic around the same time, adding to the political drama surrounding Trump's cultural engagements.
Why This Matters for Understanding Trump's Cultural Politics
Trump's cast reference exemplifies his pattern of appropriating progressive cultural symbols for conservative political purposes, a phenomenon cultural critics have increasingly documented since his 2025 return to office. The cognitive dissonance between Trump's affection for Les Mis and the musical's core message about revolution against oppression reveals deeper tensions in how the president engages with American culture.
As the first president to attend a Broadway show since the early 1990s, Trump's Les Mis appearance marks a significant moment in presidential cultural diplomacy, albeit one fraught with controversy and artistic pushback. The event demonstrates how cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center have become battlegrounds in America's broader culture war, with performers, administrators, and politicians all vying for control over artistic expression.
Expert answers to Trump Mentions Les Mis Cast What Happened queries
What exactly did Trump say about the Les Mis cast?
Trump stated: "I love Les Mis... I've seen many times... We love it... One of my favorites... I couldn't care less" about reports that understudies might perform due to cast boycotts.
How many cast members boycotted Trump's performance?
Between 10 to 12 performers from Les Mis opted to refrain from performing on June 11, including both leading actors and ensemble members.
When did Trump first use Les Mis music at political rallies?
Trump incorporated music from Les Mis into his rallies during the 2016 campaign, which led to objections from the musical's co-creators.
Why is Trump attending Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center?
Trump attended as part of his first visit to the prestigious arts venue since overhauling its board, while simultaneously hosting a fundraiser to support the Kennedy Center.
Did Trump understand what Les Misérables is about?
Media outlets questioned whether Trump understands the musical's themes, noting the cognitive dissonance between his affection for the show and its revolutionary message about fighting social inequality.
