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Photos of Drag Queens Preparing to Attend 'Les Miserables' at Kennedy Center, Despite Trump

by Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Associated Press

Friday June 13, 2025

Mari Con Carne applies their makeup before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington
Mari Con Carne applies their makeup before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington  (Source:AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Mari Con Carne put on their make-up, wig and gown before attending "Les Miserables" at the Kennedy Center. Along with other Washington-based drag queens Tara Hoot, Ricky Rosé and Vagenesis, they attended the show despite complaints by President Donald Trump that the Kennedy Center had hosted too many drag shows in the past.

Trump, who also attended the performance, has replaced the Kennedy Center's president and board with loyalists, had himself named chairman and pledged to overhaul programming he calls "woke" and too focused on leftist ideology.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Mari Con Carne applies their makeup before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were in also attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington
Mari Con Carne applies their makeup before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were in also attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington  (Source: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Mari Con Carne applies their makeup before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington
Mari Con Carne applies their makeup before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington  (Source: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Mari Con Carne puts on their wig before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington
Mari Con Carne puts on their wig before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington  (Source: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Mari Con Carne writes their sisters phone number in Sharpie on their arm before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, a performance that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania were also attending, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Wash
Mari Con Carne writes their sisters phone number in Sharpie on their arm before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, a performance that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania were also attending, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Wash  (Source: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Mari Con Carne puts on their coat before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington
Mari Con Carne puts on their coat before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington  (Source: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Tara Hoot greets Mari Con Carne, not pictured, before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington
Tara Hoot greets Mari Con Carne, not pictured, before attending Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in drag, on the night that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also in attendance, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington  (Source: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Tara Hoot, Maria Con Carne, Ricky Rosé and Vagenesis walk to the Kennedy Center, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington to attend a performance of Les Miserables, that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also attending
Tara Hoot, Maria Con Carne, Ricky Rosé and Vagenesis walk to the Kennedy Center, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington to attend a performance of Les Miserables, that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also attending  (Source: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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