Trump's Controversial Appearance at 'Les Misérables' Opening Night
Donald Trump's attendance at the Kennedy Center's 'Les Misérables' opening night sparked protests and mixed reactions, with half the cast boycotting the performance.
Overview
- Donald Trump attended the opening night of 'Les Misérables' at the Kennedy Center, drawing both cheers and boos from the audience.
- Protests were organized against Trump's presence, with half of the play's cast boycotting the performance in response.
- The Kennedy Center has seen changes in leadership and programming during Trump's administration, affecting its atmosphere.
- Trump expressed indifference to the protests and claimed economic success during his visit to the theater.
- The event served as a fundraiser for the Kennedy Center, which relies on ticket sales and donations for revenue.
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Analysis
Emphasizes Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center, leading to protests and a canceled production.
Trump fired Biden's appointees to the Kennedy Center board, including the chairman, and took over the position himself, leading to the cancellation of a 'Hamilton' production at the center.
The performance is a fundraiser for the Kennedy Center, which relies on revenue from tickets, subscriptions, and donations.
Additional contributions can go up to $5,000 annually.
Songs from the musical have been used in protests against governments around the world since the show debuted in 1980.
Vagenesis expressed feelings of fear and anxiety about the protest but also a sense of empowerment.
Articles (14)
Center (5)
"…The evening was Trump’s first visit to a Kennedy Center performance of this term, and the first since he engineered a takeover of the arts institution just weeks after returning to the White House."
Deadline·20d·"…Vagenesis emphasized that she and her fellow drag performers are showing up peacefully, and while she doesn't expect to change the hearts and minds of the president and his administration, she wants to reach those who support drag or are open-minded to learning more."
NPR·20d·"…The opening night of a monthlong run of the Tony Award-winning show comes amid widespread protests against the president’s immigration policies and his decision to deploy members of the military in response."
NBC News·20d·"…Trump's appearance at "Les Miserables", a show about citizens rising up against their government, comes just days after he sent U.S. Marines and the National Guard to quell protests against his administration's immigration raids in Los Angeles."
USA TODAY·20d·"…Trump touted the new Trump Savings Account in the GOP megabill at a roundtable at the White House with lawmakers and top CEOs."
ABC News·22d·FAQ
The audience reaction was mixed, with both cheers and boos directed at Trump during the event.
The boycott was in response to Trump's attendance, although specific reasons were not detailed in the article. It is likely related to political or social disagreements.
The article mentions programming changes at the Kennedy Center, but does not specify the nature of these changes. These changes may have affected the center's atmosphere.
History
- 20d
6 articles
- 20d4 articles