Last night JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance, along with American President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump attended the opening night of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center. While their visit to watch the play was an event in itself, JD Vance grabbed the spotlight after he posted a joke on X, which he shared with his wife before going to the play.
Vance apparently joked with Usha about the contents of Les Miserables. His post on X read, “About to see Les Miserables with POTUS at the Kennedy Center. Me to Usha: so what’s this about? A barber who kills people? Usha; [hysterical laughter].” He then responded to his own tweet, posting, “That’s apparently a different thing called ‘Sweeney Todd.’”
About to see Les Miserables with POTUS at the Kennedy Center.
Me to Usha: so what’s this about? A barber who kills people?
Usha; [hysterical laughter]
— JD Vance (@JDVance) June 11, 2025
This naturally caught the attention of netizens, who did not stop from making brutally criticizing comments. One user wrote, “Could you be any more unaware? Americans are being evacuated for war and our highest elected officials are watching plays.” Another one added, “I don’t get what this tweet was supposed to accomplish?” A third user quipped, saying, “Your wife is the only person who thinks you’re funny.”
Another one was quite straightforward with their comment as they said, “Usha was laughing AT you. Not with you.” The comments did not stop here as one user pointed out, “Les Miserables…a story of someone imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. Maybe you’ll understand the plight of the lower class after seeing the show, JD. But your date, POTUS, is unable to comprehend things like that.”
Another person added, “So the country appears to be melting down and you’re off to a show. Sounds like the priorities are where they should be.” The comments clearly showed that people over the internet neither found the joke nor the fact that the American President and Vice President were enjoying a show when so many serious things were happening around the country.
Moreover, this was Trump’s first time attending a show at the Kennedy Center since he was elected and his welcome was full of boos and cheers. Near the intermission of the play, someone had loudly cursed his name, receiving a huge applause, reports Irish Star. Several drag queens were also present in the crowd, which was a form of protest from them as Trump had previously mentioned that the Kennedy Center held too many drag shows.
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With such social media backlash over their visiting the Kennedy Center amid these tumultuous times, it now remains to be seen if Vance or Trump address these comments or simply continue doing what they think should be done.
Scroll down for some images of Usha and JD Vance
