Donald Trump at Kennedy Center: US president and first lady Melania Trump cheered, booed; watch video

US President Donald Trump obtained a mixture of boos and cheers as he arrived in a tuxedo at the Kennedy Center for the opening night time of “Les Misérables” in Washington.It was his first go to to the venue since turning into president once more and got here as he works to reshape the establishment in his personal approach.While Trump and Melania stood above the viewers, the muffled boos had been combined with folks shouting, “USA! USA! USA!”“We want to bring it back, and we want to bring it back better than ever,” Trump stated whereas strolling the crimson carpet with first lady Melania Trump. The MAGA chief has proven a selected fondness for “Les Misérables,” which he has described as considered one of his favorite musicals. The tune “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from the present has been performed at a few of his previous occasions.The night had a powerful GOP presence. Several Trump allies had been seen at the occasion, together with Kennedy Center interim head Ric Grenell, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Vice President JD Vance together with his spouse Usha.Despite the thrill, some seats within the balcony and orchestra sections had been noticeably empty. Reports advised that some “Les Misérables” solid members could have boycotted the efficiency, stories the Washington Post. Trump responded to the likelihood by saying, “I couldn’t care less.”Trump’s go to comes as half of a bigger transfer to claim management over the Kennedy Center. Since his return to the White House in January, he has fired the long-time director and board, changing them together with his allies and naming himself chairman. His appointees embody Fox News hosts and shut aides like Susie Wiles and Maria Bartiromo.This has not gone down effectively with everybody. Some performers and patrons have pulled out of occasions, together with reveals like “Hamilton.” Arts consultants like Ben Folds and Renée Fleming have resigned. Subscriptions have reportedly fallen for the reason that management change.Trump has additionally taken broader steps to chop funding for arts. He has proposed eradicating the National Endowment for the Arts and the Humanities and focused the Smithsonian museums. “Some very inappropriate shows,” together with what he known as a “Marxist anti-police performance” and “lesbian-only Shakespeare,” had been amongst his criticisms.The Kennedy Center was based in 1971 and named after President John F Kennedy.