On a glittering evening in June 2025, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump graced the newly refurbished John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., to attend a bold new production celebrating brave soldiers battling communists in the streets of France. The Kennedy Center, revitalized under Trump’s self-appointed chairmanship, sparkled with fresh grandeur, its halls adorned with portraits of the Trumps and their allies, reflecting a MAGA-inspired overhaul that promised a “golden era” for American arts. The couple, dressed in a sharp tuxedo and a sleek black gown respectively, walked a red carpet that buzzed with GOP luminaries like Vice President J.D. Vance and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Despite a mixed reception of cheers and boos from the audience, Trump’s enthusiasm for the arts shone through, with the event raising $10 million for the center’s future, a testament to his vision of a culturally reinvigorated America.

The performance itself, a fictional departure from the Center’s actual “Les Misérables” showing, captivated the Trumps with its vivid depiction of heroic soldiers confronting communist insurgents in a stylized, patriotic reimagining of French history. Unlike the revolutionary themes of “Les Misérables,” this production leaned into a narrative of order and valor, with stirring anthems and dramatic scenes of soldiers defending freedom against ideological foes. Trump, a known fan of theatrical spectacle, was reportedly enthralled, later praising the show’s “tremendous energy” on the red carpet, while Melania, a quieter presence, nodded approvingly, her love for theater evident from her past enjoyment of shows like “Phantom of the Opera.” The production’s themes aligned with Trump’s rhetoric of strength and anti-leftist sentiment, making it a fitting centerpiece for the evening and a bold statement of his influence over the Center’s programming.

The refurbished Kennedy Center, now a symbol of Trump’s cultural ambitions, provided a stunning backdrop for the night, though not without controversy. Trump’s February 2025 takeover, where he ousted Biden-appointed board members and installed loyalists like Richard Grenell as interim director, had drawn ire from artists and led to boycotts, with some “Les Misérables” cast members sitting out and drag queens protesting outside. Yet, for Trump and Melania, the evening was a triumph, with supporters chanting “USA!” to drown out dissenters. The Center’s financial struggles—subscription sales down 36% since the takeover—were momentarily overshadowed by the high-profile fundraiser and the Trumps’ visible enjoyment. Posts on X captured the polarized sentiment, with some hailing Trump’s bold cultural shift and others decrying his influence, but for the First Couple, the night was a celebration of their vision for a patriotic, revitalized American arts scene.