Trump Turns the White House into Broadway with a Military Twist
Sarah Johnson
March 8, 2025
Brief
President Trump and First Lady Melania revive White House musical traditions, spotlighting U.S. military musicians and Broadway favorites at official events, sparking viral social media attention.
The White House has long been a stage for showcasing America’s cultural and artistic talents, from musicians and singers to composers and more. Each president adds their personal flair to these events, and President Donald Trump is no exception. In fact, he seems to be giving this tradition a rather theatrical twist.
Both President John F. Kennedy and President Trump share a love for musicals. For Kennedy, it was "Camelot" that set the tone for his administration, a nickname coined by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Fast forward more than 60 years, and First Lady Melania Trump has brought musicals back into the spotlight at the White House, sparking viral buzz across social media.
During the National Governors Association’s annual winter meeting, President and Mrs. Trump hosted the nation’s governors at a grand dinner in late February. However, the talk of the event wasn’t just the beautifully executed candlelight ambiance or Mrs. Trump’s striking Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo suit. Instead, it was the performance by the United States Army Chorus that stole the show. As they processed down the iconic red carpet of the Cross Hall into the East Room, the military musicians performed crowd favorites like "God Bless the USA" and "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from the Broadway musical "Les Misérables."
Social media, of course, had a field day. Some speculated that the choice of "Les Misérables" carried a hidden protest message. But the truth? President Trump is simply a fan of musical theater—and that particular song. And why not? The man has "YMCA" and "Phantom of the Opera" on his rally playlists. This wasn’t a veiled political statement; it was just Trump being Trump.
Presidential entertaining traditions go way back, with Lyndon B. Johnson being the first to host governors at a White House dinner. Richard Nixon turned it into the modern-day Governors Ball, complete with black-tie elegance and after-dinner entertainment. Nixon’s 1974 ball featured a memorable performance by Pearl Bailey, who even playfully coaxed the president into playing the piano. Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama also brought top-tier performers to these occasions, from Beverly Sills to Vince Gill and Earth, Wind & Fire.
But what sets the Trump White House apart is its consistent spotlight on the U.S. military’s musical talent. From the White House Easter Egg Roll to formal state dinners, military bands have been center stage more than ever. For the State Dinner honoring Australia, the Trump administration even assembled the largest group of premier U.S. military musicians in White House history.
By all accounts, President and Mrs. Trump have made a signature mark on White House entertaining by elevating America’s finest—the United States military musicians—to perform on one of the nation’s grandest stages. If there’s one thing this administration knows, it’s how to put on a show.
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Editor's Comments
Honestly, the idea of mixing Broadway with military precision feels so uniquely Trump—and I mean that in the most fascinating way. While some may roll their eyes at the song choice, there’s something charming about using "Les Misérables" to add a bit of theatrical flair to a governors’ dinner. Who knew the People’s House could feel so much like a Broadway stage? Still, it’s hard not to imagine how those governors felt when the military chorus belted out "Do You Hear the People Sing?"—a song about revolution, no less. A little on the nose, don’t you think?
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