‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’ How Trump turned revolutionary anthem into MAGA rallying cry with stunning power play

Former President Donald Trump’s appearance at the Kennedy Center for the opening night of Les Misérables marks a significant shift in the cultural landscape of Washington, highlighting how a revolutionary anthem has become intertwined with the MAGA movement.

According to Politico, the musical theater performance on Wednesday night showcased Trump’s successful transformation of the Kennedy Center, following his February decision to replace 18 board members with his allies and appoint Richard Grenell as its leader. The president received largely positive reception from the audience, with chants of “U-S-A” drowning out scattered boos.

“Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Misérables has become an unofficial anthem for Trump’s movement, with its history dating back to the 2016 election. After Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” comment, Trump embraced the musical’s theme, holding a Les Mis-themed rally where he entered to the song while “Les Deplorables” appeared on screen.

Trump’s long-standing connection to musical theater shapes Kennedy Center’s new direction

The president’s affinity for musical theater, particularly 1980s mega-musicals, has been well-documented. Trump has seen Les Misérables multiple times and has called it “fantastic,” even suggesting an extension of its current four-week run at the Kennedy Center.

The transformation of the revolutionary anthem into a MAGA symbol represents a larger cultural shift. The song, which has historically been used in protest movements worldwide, including demonstrations in Ukraine, Hong Kong, and South Korea, has found new meaning among Trump’s supporters who see themselves in the musical’s scrappy heroes.

Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer explained the administration’s new approach to cultural institutions, stating, “The first term, we largely ceded a lot of things. This time, it’s like, ‘Why would I do that?'” This sentiment reflects the broader strategy to establish influence in traditionally liberal-leaning cultural spaces.

The president’s Wednesday night appearance at the Kennedy Center was accompanied by notable figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized Trump’s connection to the arts, stating that his enthusiasm stems from his “incredible aptitude for music and the arts.” The president himself has revealed his early musical inclinations, though he never fully developed them due to his father’s disapproval.

The selection of Les Misérables, a tale of revolution and redemption in 19th-century France, carries particular significance for Trump’s base. The musical, adapted from Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, tells the story of impoverished Parisians fighting against injustice, a narrative that resonates with MAGA supporters who view themselves as outsiders challenging the establishment.