Why Actors Are Moving To Boycott Their Own Performance At Kennedy Center

Washington, D.C. skyline with Capitol Building in background.

Ten actors from the touring production of Les Misérables have chosen to boycott their performance at the Kennedy Center during President Trump’s attendance, sparking conflict between the arts community and the center’s new Trump-appointed leadership.

Key Insights

A dozen Les Misérables cast members plan to boycott the June 11 performance when President Trump attends a Kennedy Center fundraiser.
Richard Grenell, Trump’s appointed Kennedy Center director, condemned the actors as “vapid and intolerant,” insisting the center must welcome all political backgrounds.
Trump has already made significant changes to the Kennedy Center, including canceling planned Hamilton performances and vowing to end “anti-American” programming.
Several prominent artists including Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds have severed ties with the Kennedy Center following Trump’s takeover.

Actors Take Stand Against Presidential Attendance

At least ten members of the Les Misérables touring production have decided they will not perform at the Kennedy Center’s June 11 event, which coincides with President Trump’s planned attendance. The boycott involves both principal and ensemble cast members who were offered the option to abstain from the performance. The show will proceed with a modified cast, according to multiple reports. This political showdown comes as the Kennedy Center hosts a fundraiser aimed at boosting its finances under new leadership.

The protest marks another chapter in the long-standing tension between Trump and the Broadway community. During his 2016 campaign, Trump used music from Les Misérables at rallies, which drew objections from the musical’s creators. Now, as chairman of one of America’s premier cultural institutions, Trump faces direct resistance from performers unwilling to appear before him.

Kennedy Center Leadership Responds Firmly

Richard Grenell, appointed interim director of the Kennedy Center in February, has issued a strong rebuke of the actors’ planned boycott. The Trump ally emphasized the center’s dedication to political neutrality and inclusivity, suggesting that performers unwilling to entertain audiences of all political backgrounds should be publicly identified. This response highlights the growing divide between the artistic community and the center’s current administration.

According to Grenell, “Any performer who isn’t professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won’t be welcomed. In fact, we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn’t hire—and that the public knows which shows have political litmus tests to sit in the audience.”

Grenell further emphasized his vision for the Kennedy Center as a politically neutral space: “The Kennedy Center wants to be a place where people of all political stripes sit next to each other and never ask who someone voted for but instead enjoy a performance together.” This statement reinforces the administration’s position that art should transcend partisan divisions, even as political tensions mount.

Trump’s Vision and Institutional Changes

Since taking over as chairman of the Kennedy Center, President Trump has made significant changes to the institution’s direction. He has appointed new trustees, replacing those from previous Democratic administrations, and assumed a direct leadership role. Among his first decisions was canceling planned performances of Hamilton, a show he has publicly criticized. Trump has expressed intentions to improve the Kennedy Center, which he calls “an American Jewel,” and to bring in successful Broadway productions.

Trump has also made clear his opposition to certain types of performances. In a social media post, he declared “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA—ONLY THE BEST,” signaling a shift in programming priorities. These changes have prompted numerous artists to distance themselves from the Kennedy Center, with Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds among those severing ties with the institution over disagreements with its new direction.

Broader Impact on Arts and Politics

The Kennedy Center controversy reflects the larger cultural divide in America, where arts institutions increasingly find themselves caught in political crossfires. With the June 11 performance approaching, both sides appear unwilling to compromise their positions. The boycott by Les Misérables cast members represents the latest instance of the performing arts community expressing political resistance, while the Trump administration’s response suggests continued determination to reshape cultural institutions according to its vision.

The Kennedy Center, established as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, has traditionally strived to represent America’s artistic excellence across political divides. This current conflict challenges its foundational mission, raising questions about whether cultural institutions can maintain neutrality in an increasingly polarized nation. As the situation develops, the Center faces the difficult task of balancing artistic freedom with its commitment to serving all Americans regardless of political affiliation.