Videos of Drag Queens at Trump Musical Performance Go Viral
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Videos of drag queens attending a performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center theatre while President Donald Trump was also in attendance have gone viral online.
Why It Matters
Trump has a contentious relationship with the Kennedy Center, which he appointed himself to chair in February. He then announced that he was firing most of the board of trustees and said that he would be in charge of programming going forward.
The president told reporters in February that he "didn't like what they were showing" at the Kennedy Center and that he would ensure that the programming was "good" and "not woke." Trump's planned attendance at this performance of Les Misérables had already been well publicized, as in May, the cast of the show was reported to be considering boycotting the performance.
What To Know
Videos on social media showed the group of drag artists walking into the theatre before the show began and being met with raucous applause.
"Trump went to the Kennedy Center to watch Les Misérables and it turned into a drag show.... love it for him!" the account @WUTangKids wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in a post that has been viewed 1.2 million times as of press time.
Trump went to the Kennedy Center to watch Les Misérables and it turned into a drag show 🤣….love it for him! pic.twitter.com/LHu1cXODeE — Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) June 11, 2025
This is a warmer reception than the president received, as he attended his first appearance at the arts venue since the venue's leadership was fired. Trump was met with boos and jeers at the performance, though this was ultimately drowned out by chants of "USA."
Drag shows have long been a hot-button issue for Trump and his supporters, with lawmakers in several U.S. states enacting or attempting to enact laws that restrict drag performances.
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post in February, "Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP."
The 2025-2026 schedule, however, includes Chicago, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and Mrs. Doubtfire, all of which generally feature performers in drag.
L: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the opening night of "Les Misérables" at The Kennedy Center on June 11, 2025. R: Drag queens walk together to the Kennedy Center to...
L: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the opening night of "Les Misérables" at The Kennedy Center on June 11, 2025. R: Drag queens walk together to the Kennedy Center to attend the same performance. More/What People Are Saying
Some social media users were critical of the drag queens' attendance and defensive over Trump.
The X account @_e_tto_, in a post viewed 24,000 times as of reporting: "The empty seats and the scowls from his own crowd—some looking like they've stepped straight out of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' seething with rage at the mere sight of diversity—paint a perfect picture of MAGA's cultural war. The drag queens didn't just steal the spotlight—they exposed the fragility and fear at the heart of MAGA's so-called revolution."
The TikTok account @3reecrossingradio, in a video viewed over 20,000 times, about the drag queens at the performance: "I don't know about you ladies and gentlemen, but we are in some interesting times.
The X account @gogo22325, in a post viewed over 33,000 times: "I am a former broadway performer (and Les Miz cast member) and AEA. Drag queens were always filth and only found in late night sketchy dive bars. ALWAYS .The things that are glorified today are so disgusting . I could never return to the stage now."
What Happens Next
Whether actions like this from drag queen groups will continue remains to be seen, but given the current political tensions and the schedule of shows featuring drag performers, similar types of protests may occur at future events.
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