President Trump boasted Wednesday that his fundraiser to lift cash for the Kennedy Center raised $10 million for the venue and that he wasn’t bothered by performers skipping the night time’s efficiency of “Les Miserables” in protest of his insurance policies.
“I couldn’t care much less,” Mr. Trump mentioned concerning the protests.
“We wish to carry it again higher than ever. As you recognize, it wants just a little assist from the standpoint of age and health, however it’s going to be improbable,” he continued.
Some patrons paid $2 million to sit down in a efficiency field, attend a VIP reception with Mr. Trump and take a photograph with him earlier than taking within the musical. Different patrons paid $100,000 to attend the efficiency, reception and obtain a photograph, however didn’t get the field seat, in keeping with a report by The Washington Submit.
The occasion was arrange as a fundraiser for the Kennedy Center, which Mr. Trump took over in February.
As a part of Mr. Trump’s overhaul of the middle, formally the John F. Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts, he named himself chairman and pledged to rid it of programming he mentioned was woke and too targeted on leftist ideology and political correctness. He additionally named members to the board of trustees and can attend the taping of the Kennedy Center Honors within the fall.
Mr. Trump’s adjustments shocked the humanities neighborhood, particularly after firing the middle’s longtime director and promising to vary its programming as a part of an effort to place his stamp on the nationwide arts scene.
It’s the primary time as president Mr. Trump has attended a Kennedy Center efficiency. He averted the venue amid leisure business criticism of his insurance policies throughout his first time period and skipped the annual Kennedy Center Honors, which has been historically attended by presidents.
First girl Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and second girl Usha Vance joined Mr. Trump for the musical. “Les Miserables” is the story of redemption in Nineteenth-century France as a convict tries to pursue a brand new life.
Mr. Trump’s adjustments to the Kennedy Center have been met with applause from conservatives and resistance from liberals.
Some solid members instructed CNN and The New York Occasions that they deliberate to boycott the present, which may largely be carried out with understudies. Wednesday is the present’s first preview and Thursday is opening night time.
In March, the viewers booed Mr. Vance and his spouse after they arrived to listen to the Nationwide Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Vance is amongst these Mr. Trump has appointed to the Kennedy Center board together with White Home Chief of Employees Susie Wiles, Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi and Fox Information Channel hosts Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham.
Gross sales of subscription packages have fallen since Mr. Trump took over, and the touring manufacturing of “Hamilton” canceled its run on the heart in protest. The actor Issa Rae and singer Rhiannon Giddens additionally canceled scheduled appearances, and consulting musicians Ben Folds and Renee Fleming resigned.
