As protests against his immigration policies balloon nationwide, President Donald Trump is seeing one of his favorite musicals on Wednesday night: “Les Misérables,” the story of an anti-government uprising, abusive police and harsh imprisonment.
Trump is going to opening night of the famous musical’s one-month run at Washington, D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, whose entire board of trustees he replaced in February and had them name him chairman.
“We’ve seen it many times,” Trump said upon arriving at the Kennedy Center with first lady Melania Trump. “Love it. One of my favorites.”
When a reporter asked him which side of the musical’s conflict he most identified with, Trump laughed and refused to answer.
“That’s tough. You better answer that one, honey,” he said, gesturing to the first lady. “I don’t know.”
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When another reporter asked how he felt about reports that some of the “Les Misérables” cast would be boycotting the night of his performance, Trump said he “couldn’t care less.”
“All I do is run the country well,” he retorted.
Trump received a mixture of cheers and boos when he took his seat at the theater. His attendance comes after he deployed National Guard troops to face largely peaceful protesters in Los Angeles and announced he was sending in Marines, despite pushback from local leadership.
“Les Misérables,” the musical based on the 1862 novel of the same name, tells the story of French peasant Jean Valjean after he emerges from a 19-year prison sentence for stealing a loaf of bread for his niece. Much of the musical centers around student demonstrations against the French monarchy.
One of the musical’s most recognizable songs ― “Do You Hear The People Sing?” ― has a long history as an anthem at pro-democracy demonstrations. It’s also an apparent favorite of Trump’s, as he played the song right before walking onstage to announce his third presidential run in 2022.
Several drag performers also attended the show Wednesday night to protest Trump, who announced in February there would be “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA” at the Kennedy Center going forward. They received applause as they walked in to the theater, social media videos show.
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Vagenesis, whose government name is Anderson Wells, was one of the planned attendees.
“Theater is supposed to be a place of community, a place of storytelling, a place of celebration, joy, catharsis and it should be open and available to all,” Vagenesis told NPR on Wednesday.
Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence similarly caused a stir when he went to see “Hamilton” shortly after winning the 2016 election. He was loudly booed when he arrived at the Manhattan theater. When Pence was trying to exit the theater after the final curtain call, actor Brandon Dixon, who was playing the part of Aaron Burr, asked him to stay and delivered a message to him.
“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,” he continued.