Several cast members of the Broadway musical Les Misérables plan to boycott a performance at the Kennedy Center gala on June 11, an event President Trump is expected to attend. This action follows changes made by the Trump administration to the Kennedy Center's board of trustees and leadership.
At least ten cast members, including those in significant roles and the ensemble, have chosen not to participate. The Kennedy Center's president, Richard Grenell (appointed by Trump), criticized the boycott, labeling the performers as “vapid and intolerant.” He indicated that the center would not welcome performers unwilling to perform for patrons regardless of their political affiliations.
The boycott reflects broader culture wars at the Kennedy Center. Several artists, such as Issa Rae and Shonda Rhimes, severed ties with the institution following Trump's appointment as chairman. Trump replaced half of the board's members with his appointees, firing those appointed by the Biden administration and dismissing the former president, Deborah Rutter.
The gala Trump is attending is expected to significantly fundraise for the Kennedy Center, which is using the run of Les Misérables (June 11-July 13) to bolster its finances. The White House hasn't commented on the boycott.
A previously scheduled 2026 run of Hamilton was cancelled, with the producer citing a “purge” by the Trump administration.