Trump Slams Les Misérables, Elon Musk Backtracks, RFK Jr. Purges Vaccine Board
A week of political theater, corporate apology, and public health controversy shows where America’s power centers are headed
In a week that blended culture wars, tech-world reversals, and a dangerous shake-up in public health governance, three headline-making events revealed much about the state of American politics and influence in 2025.
Trump attended a performance of Les Misérables and sparked public protest. Elon Musk reversed himself after a high-profile spat with the former president. And Robert F. Kennedy Jr. purged an entire federal vaccine advisory board, alarming medical experts.
Here’s what happened—and why it matters.
Trump’s Les Misérables Appearance Sparks Ire and Irony
President Trump and First Lady Melania caused a stir this week by attending the opening night of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center, a venue he controversially seized earlier this year. The appearance triggered both cheers and boos from the audience as the couple entered the presidential box.
Critics were quick to point out the irony of Trump attending a performance rooted in revolution and the fight against authoritarian rule, given his own recent militaristic posturing and attacks on democratic norms. As Vanity Fair reported, the presence of drag performers and protestors outside the venue underscored the cultural divide on display.
“I love the songs, I love the play,” Trump later commented, brushing aside the criticism. But the optics of the moment spoke volumes about the current tension between power and protest in American public life.
Musk Softens Tone After Clash With Trump
Tech billionaire Elon Musk also found himself back in the headlines after a very public clash with Trump earlier this month. Musk had harshly criticized Trump on his social platform X, prompting a sharp response from Trump allies.
But on June 11, Musk walked back his statements, posting: “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”
Observers say the move likely reflects Musk’s ongoing attempts to maintain influence in Washington. After briefly serving in Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” last year, Musk now faces increasing scrutiny over whether X will remain politically neutral.
Musk’s reversal serves as another reminder that in today’s America, the lines between corporate power and political influence remain as blurred as ever.
RFK Jr. Purges CDC Vaccine Advisory Board, Experts Alarmed
The most consequential move of the week came from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who, as Health and Human Services Secretary, removed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
In their place, Kennedy installed eight new appointees—including several vaccine skeptics—prompting swift condemnation from the medical community.
The American Medical Association warned that the purge “undermines vaccine confidence at a critical time.” Recent measles outbreaks add urgency to those concerns, as public health officials now face a federal advisory board no longer rooted in scientific consensus.
Meanwhile, the financial markets took note. Shares of major vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer and Moderna dipped following the announcement, reflecting Wall Street’s recognition of the potential risks to public trust in immunization.
Career scientists are already pushing back. Several resigned in protest, accusing Kennedy of politicizing public health for ideological ends.
As the Guardian reported, the full impact of this shake-up remains to be seen—but it could prove one of the most dangerous acts of governance this administration has yet undertaken.
The Week’s Message: America’s Fault Lines Are Deepening
This week’s trio of events—a cultural clash, a corporate retreat, and a public health controversy—highlight the deep fault lines shaping America today.
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Trump’s unapologetic embrace of authoritarian spectacle continues to inflame divisions.
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Musk’s recalculation illustrates the uncomfortable dance between Big Tech and political power.
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RFK Jr.’s vaccine board purge threatens to erode scientific standards in federal policymaking at a moment when global trust in vaccines is already fragile.
Each development raises critical questions about the country’s direction—and about how much personal power its leaders are willing to wield in pursuit of their agendas.
For now, the message is clear: the battles for American culture, corporate alignment, and public health are far from over—and they’re likely to define the remainder of this political era.
