Les Misérables Cast Plans Boycott of Kennedy Center Show Over Trump Appearance
Tensions are rising as most of the Les Misérables tour cast plans to boycott a June 11 performance at the Kennedy Center due to former President Donald Trump’s scheduled appearance.
Of the 12 touring actors, 10 have reportedly declined to perform. The cast was given the option to opt out, and many cited concerns over political interference at the center.
Trump, now chairman of the Kennedy Center, has reshaped its leadership, replacing longtime trustees with allies like Richard Grenell, who criticized the actors as “vapid and intolerant.”
Trump has vowed to shift the Center’s programming toward more “patriotic” content, banning drag shows and other events he calls “anti-American.” The June 11 event also serves as a major fundraiser for the Center.
While the Kennedy Center reaffirmed its commitment to bipartisanship, critics worry it’s becoming a partisan platform.
