WASHINGTON () President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are set to attend the opening of the musical “Les Misérables” at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts next week, a White House official told .

“I love the songs, I love the play,” Mr. Trump said in an interview with Fox News. “I think it’s great – we may extend it.”

“Les Misérables” — a stage adaptation based on the French novel by Victor Hugo is scheduled to run at the Kennedy Center from June 11 to July 13. Hugo’s tale dives into the 19th-century Parisian underworld, detailing the struggles of the underclass and a journey of redemption.
The hit song from the 1985 musical, “Do You Hear People Sing,” is often included in Trump’s playlist at political rallies and official events. A rendition of the anthem recently played at the 2025 Governors Ball at the White House. 

But the president’s appearance next Wednesday is not without drama.

After returning to power for a second term, Trump appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center and quickly dismantled the institution’s board.

“We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!” the president wrote on Truth Social in February, adding, “The Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”  

Ticket sales in March and April at the Kennedy Center plummeted by about $1.6 million roughly 36% compared with the same period in 2024, according to The Washington Post.  

The Kennedy Center contends those direct comparisons are unfair, citing changes to subscriber packages and marketing, and emphasizing some shows have sold out.

“Our renewal campaign is just kicking off and our hard-copy season brochures have not yet hit homes,” Kim Cooper, the Kennedy Center’s senior vice president of marketing, said. “Our patrons wait for our new season brochures and renewal campaigns to take action.”

Now, nearly a dozen cast members of “Les Misérables” are planning to opt out of performing when the Trumps are in the audience.

In a statement shared with , Richard Grenell, who Trump designated as the president of the Kennedy Center, said: “The Kennedy Center will no longer fund intolerance. 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. 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 enjoys a performance together,” Grenell concluded.  

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance are also expected to attend the showing.