President Donald Trump drew charged reactions of both admiration and ire at the Kennedy Center’s opening night of “Les Misérables” – with a greeting of cheers and boos, drama at intermission and drag queens in the audience. When the lights came on after the end of the first act Wednesday, many people cheered and clapped as the president and First Lady Melania Trump stood up. But a woman below, seated in the orchestra section, started yelling: “Felon, you’re a convicted felon.” As cheers died down, and Trump walked out, her voice became clearer: “Convicted felon, rapist!” A security guard quickly approached, appearing to escort her out. As the crowd waited anxiously for Trump to return to his seat, someone yelled out: “F**k Trump,” and the crowd responded by cheering and clapping loudly. Some yelled out: “We love you.” Others booed, and then an even louder cheer erupted when Trump appeared again. He pumped his fist in the air three times – reminiscent of how he rallied his supporters after an assassination attempt against him last year in Pennsylvania, when he made the same motion and shouted to the crowd: “Fight, fight, fight.” The night was emblematic of Trump’s approach in his second administration. Shunned from much of the cultural milieu of deep-blue Washington, DC, in his first term, he largely ignored it. This time, an emboldened Trump has seized control of one of the premiere cultural spots in the city, installing allies on the board who named him chairman and announcing plans to adjust the decor and schedule to his liking. And, much like his approach to the negative reactions during the performance, he isn’t expressing much concern about his critics. His supporters are more than willing to drown out the naysayers. When Trump first entered the theater, standing at the lip of the presidential box overlooking the crowd, he was met with loud cheers and boos. Then chants of “USA, USA, USA” broke out. Darlene Webb, a self-identified Trump supporter since 2016, said the expletives and jeering just made her want to express her support more loudly. “I just wanted to clap and yell over it, because at this type of performance I don’t think it was good for them to do that, professionally,” Webb said. Cara Segur, a friend of Webb’s, said she “found it kind of ironic that he was here” given the subject matter of the musical. In the backdrop of Wednesday night’s performance — the story of a former convict fighting for a second chance against a law enforcement officer’s dogged pursuit to put him back in prison — Trump has deployed the National Guard and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles to quash protests, which were sparked by the administration’s immigration crackdown. “Seeing some of the actors and actresses, it looked like they were singing at him, instead of just singing to the crowd. And it felt really powerful and I liked it,” Segur said. Not all the protests against Trump’s presence at the Kennedy Center Wednesday night were vocal. Four drag queens sat below the presidential box, a visual pushback against Trump’s vow that there would be no more “woke” performances or drag shows at the Kennedy Center. One of the drag queens, Tara Hoot, said their appearance in full drag was “a message of inclusivity. I really love musicals, I mean I’m a drag queen.” “A lot of people have been applauding, asking for pictures,” another drag queen who goes by Vagenesis said, waving a fan with the DC flag on it. “Some people are throwing some glances, confused about what they see, but that’s always to be expected wherever we go.” Some in the audience bought tickets well before Trump decided to attend, including Carol Campion, her daughter Kristen Farren and her two grandchildren. Farren said she would like the Kennedy Center to “remain apolitical. It’s a beautiful, beautiful location that has been part of our country for a very long time, and I think it should just be dedication to the arts as it was meant to be.” The performers, who did not make any sort of statement about Trump’s presence during the show, received a standing ovation from the audience. Trump and the first lady stood and clapped, as well as the entire presidential box, which included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance and Kellyanne Conway, among others. Trump left before the lights came back on. Before the show, the president and Melania Trump attended a VIP reception hosted by the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees intended to raise money to revamp the building. Gold sponsors of the event were asked to contribute $2 million for 10 premier seats, a photo opportunity with Trump and 10 tickets to the VIP reception. Silver sponsors were expected to pay $100,000 for a photo opportunity with Trump, performance seating and two tickets to the VIP reception. At the red carpet ahead of the performance, Trump said that $10 million had been raised for the Kennedy Center. Trump has taken purposeful steps to reshape power at the Kennedy Center, installing allies on the board who elected him chairman. That includes his chief of staff Susie Wiles, Usha Vance, Bondi, White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s wife, Allison. He also appointed Fox News hosts Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham, as well as “God Bless the USA” singer Lee Greenwood. “We’re going to make it incredible,” Trump said on the red carpet before the show. “We have all the funding — we raised a lot tonight. We’ll put it — lot of money, we’re going to bring it back to the highest level, higher than it was ever before.” Trump was asked while entering the venue about a previous CNN report that at least 10 to 12 cast members planned to boycott the performance due to his appearance. While it was not immediately clear how many cast members followed through on those plans, Trump said he was unbothered. “I couldn’t care less, honestly I couldn’t,” he replied. “All I do is run the country – well.”
Shouts of ‘felon’ and ‘we love you’: Inside Trump’s charged visit to the Kennedy Center
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Trump's Attendance at Kennedy Center Event Sparks Mixed Reactions"
CNN
6.5
TruthLens AI Summary
President Donald Trump's attendance at the Kennedy Center's opening night of "Les Misérables" sparked a mix of applause and protests, reflecting the polarized sentiments surrounding his presidency. As Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were introduced, they were met with both cheers and boos from the audience. A notable moment occurred when a woman in the orchestra section shouted accusations of felony and rape at Trump, prompting a swift response from security. The atmosphere was charged as other audience members expressed their views, with some chanting "USA, USA, USA," while others voiced their dissent with expletives. This incident underscored the contentious nature of Trump's public appearances, particularly in a cultural setting often seen as antagonistic to his administration. Trump, unperturbed by the negative reactions, engaged with his supporters, showcasing his resilience against criticism and willingness to embrace his role in the cultural landscape of Washington, D.C.
The evening also featured symbolic gestures of resistance, including the presence of four drag queens in the audience, who represented a counter-narrative to Trump's policies and statements regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Despite the politically charged environment, the performers of "Les Misérables" received a standing ovation, and Trump, along with his high-profile guests, joined in the applause. Prior to the performance, Trump participated in a VIP reception aimed at fundraising for the Kennedy Center, where he announced significant financial contributions raised for future renovations. His strategic moves to install allies on the board of the Kennedy Center and his assertive comments about enhancing the institution reflect a broader effort to reshape cultural spaces to align with his administration's vision. Overall, Trump's visit illustrated the ongoing cultural divide, highlighting both the fervent support he retains and the vocal opposition he continues to face in a deeply divided political climate.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article portrays a highly charged atmosphere surrounding President Donald Trump's visit to the Kennedy Center for the opening night of "Les Misérables." This event elicited a mix of admiration and disdain from attendees, showcasing the deep divisions in public sentiment towards Trump. Analyzing this event provides insights into the current political climate and cultural tensions in the United States.
Public Reaction and Divisiveness
The reactions during the performance illustrate a stark divide among the audience members. The cheers and boos reflect not only personal opinions about Trump but also broader national sentiments. The presence of both ardent supporters and vocal critics at a cultural event indicates how deeply polarized the American public has become regarding the former president. This polarization is significant as it highlights the ongoing cultural battles that are shaping national discourse.
Cultural Significance
Trump's assertiveness in reclaiming a cultural space that he was previously marginalized from during his first term presents a new strategy in his political playbook. By aligning himself with the arts community, albeit controversially, he aims to re-establish his presence in a domain traditionally dominated by his opponents. This maneuver could be seen as an attempt to reshape public perception and to engage with a segment of society that may have turned away from him.
Media's Role in Framing Perceptions
The portrayal of the events at the Kennedy Center can influence how the public perceives Trump and his actions. By highlighting both the cheers and the protests, the article underscores the complexity of the situation. However, it may also inadvertently create a narrative that could galvanize support or opposition, depending on the reader's existing beliefs. This duality serves to reinforce existing biases rather than bridge divides, raising questions about the role of media in shaping political narratives.
Manipulative Elements
The article contains elements that could be seen as manipulative, particularly in how it frames the confrontation between Trump supporters and critics. The use of provocative language, such as "felon" and "rapist," is designed to elicit strong emotional responses from readers. This kind of framing can serve to deepen schisms, making it less about the event itself and more about the ongoing battle between two opposing ideologies.
Validity and Trustworthiness
Given the nature of the reporting, the article presents a mixture of factual recounting of events and interpretations that may reflect the author's biases. While the description of the reactions is grounded in observable facts, the framing of those reactions can lead to varying conclusions about the overall significance of the event. This ambiguity affects the overall trustworthiness of the report, as readers may need to consider the underlying motivations behind the narrative.
Impact on Society and Politics
The article highlights a potential scenario where cultural events become battlegrounds for political expression. This could lead to increased tensions not only within the arts community but also in broader societal interactions. As political figures like Trump continue to engage with cultural institutions, it may influence future political campaigns and public engagement strategies.
Target Audience
The piece seems to resonate more with individuals who are either critical of Trump or engaged in cultural discourse. By presenting a vivid account of the event, the article aims to engage readers who are invested in the political and cultural stakes of such gatherings, potentially appealing to liberal audiences who may view Trump unfavorably.
Market Implications
While the article does not directly address economic implications, the cultural climate can influence market sentiment, particularly in industries related to entertainment and media. Companies that align with Trump or oppose him may see varying impacts on their stock prices based on public sentiment and political developments.
The article draws attention to the ongoing cultural and political divides in the U.S., reflecting the complexities of public sentiment towards Trump. It serves to amplify the existing discourse while potentially reinforcing divisions rather than fostering unity.