Performance of pro-revolution Les Misérables song at White House dinner raises questions

"Oh my gosh! #Resistance takes on many forms. The military choir choose to sing a revolutionary song from Les Misérables to make a point to all in attendance. This is so amazing! Keep fighting the good fight in whatever way you can America"

"They picked Les Mis—a musical about standing up to tyranny. They protested you at your own event and you were too stupid to get it."

But others weren’t so certain. For one thing, Donald Trump himself has used this song at his rallies in the past (to the fury of the musical’s creators). And we know he has spent years claiming to be the one standing against the establishment, and that his base eats it all up without a moment of critical consideration.

There’s also the fact that this was the reprise of the song from the end of the musical — after the revolution failed.

"I mean, the rebellion does not end well in Les Mis," one redditor pointed out. "[The song choice] could even be 'go ahead and rise up, we will just cut you down' kind of messaging from the government."

So the intention behind the performance remains unclear. But choosing it certainly caused a stir, and resulted in a lot of people across social media pointing out the potential irony, if nothing else.

"Going to lose my mind. Apparently the White House chose “Do You Hear the People Sing?” to be performed at the Governor’s Ball. You know, the Les Mis song famously calling for a people’s revolution in 1800s France? About overthrowing the government? Through violent populism??"

“’do you hear the people sing’ is a protestagainst government tyranny as it was set during the paris uprising of 1832 and not for nothing but i believe a general knowledge of les mis and it’s themes should be required for kennedy center board membership"

"the irony of singing les mis a week after he called himself the king is wild"

"These people think they’re cultured enough to run the Kennedy Center yet think having 'Do You Hear the People Sing?' sung at them is a compliment."

"i was filled with so much hope when i found out about how 'do you hear the people sing' was sung at the white house governors ball thinking 'wow it’s crazy that none of them understand what this song means'. until i found out that they think they’re the revolutionaries"