Actors Boycott Their Own Show At Kennedy Center Over Trump Presence

Empty theater with ornate decor and projection screen.

Ten Les Misérables actors are refusing to perform at the Kennedy Center during President Trump’s attendance, triggering a strong rebuke from the center’s new Trump-appointed director, who labeled their decision “vapid and intolerant.”

Quick Takes

At least ten performers from Les Misérables will boycott the June 11 performance at the Kennedy Center during President Trump’s attendance
Richard Grenell, Trump’s appointed Kennedy Center director, condemned the actors’ boycott as unprofessional and intolerant
The Kennedy Center is undergoing significant leadership changes with Trump as chairman and multiple artists cutting ties with the institution
The boycott occurs amid fundraising efforts to improve the Center’s finances and follows Trump’s public criticism of certain performances

Performers Take Political Stand Against Trump

Multiple cast members from the touring production of Les Misérables have decided to sit out a scheduled June 11 performance at Washington’s Kennedy Center when President Donald Trump is expected to attend. According to reports, ten out of twelve actors in the principal and ensemble cast were given the option to abstain from performing that evening and chose to do so. The performance will proceed with a modified cast despite the absences, which come at a time of heightened tensions between the artistic community and the Center’s new leadership.

The boycott is not the first clash between Trump and the Broadway community. In 2016, the Trump campaign used music from Les Misérables during campaign rallies, drawing objections from the musical’s creators. Additionally, planned performances of Hamilton at the Kennedy Center were canceled following Trump’s appointment as chairman of the prestigious arts venue, a development that followed Trump’s own past criticism of the award-winning musical.

Kennedy Center Leadership Pushes Back

Richard Grenell, who was appointed interim director of the Kennedy Center in February, responded forcefully to news of the boycott. In statements that have drawn significant attention, Grenell made it clear that the center now expects performers to entertain all patrons regardless of political affiliation.

According to Grenell, “Any performer who isn’t professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won’t be welcomed. 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.”

Interim Director Grenell emphasized his vision for the Kennedy Center as a politically neutral space: “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 enjoy a performance together.” This perspective represents a significant shift in tone from previous leadership, highlighting the administration’s focus on inclusivity of political viewpoints within the prestigious arts venue.

Broader Implications for Arts and Politics

The Les Misérables controversy is part of a larger transformation at the Kennedy Center since Trump became chairman after appointing new trustees, replacing those from previous Democratic administrations. Several prominent artists, including Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds, have severed ties with the center over disagreements with its new direction. The June 11 performance coincides with a fundraiser aimed at boosting the center’s finances, making the boycott particularly significant.

Trump has publicly outlined his intentions for the venue, which he called “an American Jewel,” expressing his preference for Broadway hits while opposing certain types of programming. In a social media post, he declared, “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA—ONLY THE BEST,” signaling a potential shift in the types of performances that will be featured at the center. These statements have fueled concerns among some in the artistic community about potential limitations on creative expression under the new leadership.