On June 11, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center, marking his return after reshaping the institution’s leadership and programming. The crowd reaction was sharply divided—applause, boos, and chants filled the theater as the couple appeared in the presidential box, with Trump responding to supporters with a raised-fist gesture.

Reports said some cast members chose not to perform that night, while donated seats were given to drag performers, a pointed contrast to Trump’s earlier vow to end “woke” programming at the venue.

The visit doubled as a fundraising event, with Trump claiming the evening brought in over $10 million. Online, a photo of Trump holding only Melania’s thumb went viral, adding a layer of social-media spectacle to an already charged night. The event reflected the nation’s political divide as much as the performance itself.