The Trumps and the Vances dressed up for the opening night of Les Misérables, a musical about redemption, justice, and revolution in 19th-century France, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., against the backdrop of ongoing protests in Los Angeles and ICE raids.
At the Kennedy Center, the persistent irritation and discontent with the Trump administration were evident, and many people did not lose sight of the irony. On the red carpet, President Trump and Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and his wife Usha Vance were met with a mixed response; some chanted “USA,” while others jeered. It has also been alleged that the original production’s cast did not attend the event. Trump told the current media, “I couldn’t care less.” To be honest, I was unable to. I just manage the nation well.
Melania chose to wear silver stilettos and a black, sleeveless, Bottega Veneta gown with a high boatneck and gold neck clasp. Black pumps were worn by Second Lady Usha Vance, who donned a dark blue, strapless Shoshanna dress with silver piping on the bodice and skirt. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines were also present. Hines accessorized her black strapless dress with a feathery hemline with a black clutch bag and black open-toed sandals. Trump, Vance, and Kennedy Jr. all wore traditional tuxedos, with Vance and Kennedy Jr. sporting navy blue trimmings.
In contrast to some of the protesters in the crowd, the prominent families chose to wear somber, muted, and monochrome attire, which was a departure from their typical appearances. To applause, a group of drag queens protesting Trump’s influence on the LGBTQ+ community and the arts stepped to the theater in vibrant pastel pink and yellow attire.
Usha Vance and Melania Trump have both recently opted for more understated appearances when they go on public. Trump wore a Christian Dior gray tweed skirt suit, similar to those worn for the Joint Session of Congress, while Vance opted for a structured cream jacket and pleated pants. Given the deployment of thousands of National Guard and military troops to Los Angeles amid protests around federal immigration sweeps, the persistent preference for understated, blend-in-and-keep-quiet styles over Melania Trump’s flair and flashy fashion felt deliberate.
When Trump took over as self-appointed chairman, this was his first production at the Kennedy Center. Trump dismissed the president, elected himself as the new chair, and pledged to change the “too woke” program back in February. He took strong issue with the venue’s hosting of drag shows.
At the ceremony, Trump told the media, “I adore Les Mis.” We’ve witnessed it numerous times. We adore it. Among my favorites.
