As protests towards his immigration insurance policies balloon nationwide, President Donald Trump is seeing one among his favourite musicals on Wednesday evening: “Les Misérables,” the story of an anti-government rebellion, abusive police and harsh imprisonment.
Trump goes to opening evening of the well-known musical’s one-month run at Washington, D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts, whose complete board of trustees he changed in February and had them title him chairman.
“We’ve seen it many times,” Trump mentioned upon arriving on the Kennedy Middle with first woman Melania Trump. “Love it. One of my favorites.”
When a reporter requested him which aspect of the musical’s battle he most recognized with, Trump laughed and refused to reply.
“That’s tough. You better answer that one, honey,” he mentioned, gesturing to the primary woman. “I don’t know.”
ALEX WROBLEWSKI by way of Getty Pictures
When one other reporter requested how he felt about experiences that a number of the “Les Misérables” solid could be boycotting the evening of his efficiency, Trump mentioned he “couldn’t care less.”
“All I do is run the country well,” he retorted.
Trump acquired a combination of cheers and boos when he took his seat on the theater. His attendance comes after he deployed Nationwide Guard troops to face largely peaceable protesters in Los Angeles and introduced he was sending in Marines, regardless of pushback from native management.
“Les Misérables,” the musical primarily based on the 1862 novel of the identical title, tells the story of French peasant Jean Valjean after he emerges from a 19-year jail sentence for stealing a loaf of bread for his niece. A lot of the musical facilities round scholar demonstrations towards the French monarchy.
One of many musical’s most recognizable songs ― “Do You Hear The People Sing?” ― has a protracted historical past as an anthem at pro-democracy demonstrations. It’s additionally an obvious favourite of Trump’s, as he performed the track proper earlier than strolling onstage to announce his third presidential run in 2022.
A number of drag performers additionally attended the present Wednesday evening to protest Trump, who introduced in February there could be “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA” on the Kennedy Middle going ahead. They acquired applause as they walked in to the theater, social media movies present.
LAURE ANDRILLON by way of Getty Pictures
Vagenesis, whose authorities title is Anderson Wells, was one of many deliberate attendees.
“Theater is supposed to be a place of community, a place of storytelling, a place of celebration, joy, catharsis and it should be open and available to all,” Vagenesis informed NPR on Wednesday.
Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence equally prompted a stir when he went to see “Hamilton” shortly after successful the 2016 election. He was loudly booed when he arrived on the Manhattan theater. When Pence was making an attempt to exit the theater after the ultimate curtain name, actor Brandon Dixon, who was taking part in the a part of Aaron Burr, requested him to remain and delivered a message to him.
“We, sir, we are the diverse America, who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights,” Dixon mentioned.
“We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us,” he continued.
