Mike Pence booed while attending Broadway show, Trump demands apology (VIDEOS)
Vice-president-elect Mike Pence got more than he bargained for at the Broadway musical Hamilton, as the cast delivered a statement citing their concerns that the new administration would not protect the rights of all Americans.
As the cast took their bow at the end of the performance on Friday, actor Brandon Victor Dixon delivered a statement to Pence. “I see you walking out but I hope you will hear us for just a few more moments,” he said, before thanking him for coming. “We have a message for you sir and I hope that you will hear us out.
“We sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir,” Dixon said.
Tonight, VP-Elect Mike Pence attended #HamiltonBway. After the show, @BrandonVDixon delivered the following statement on behalf of the show. pic.twitter.com/Jsg9Q1pMZs
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) November 19, 2016
“We truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us,” Dixon said to loud applause. “We truly thank you for sharing this show, this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds and orientations,” he concluded.
A spokesperson from the show, which details the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding fathers, told the New York Times that Pence stood in the hallway to listen to the statement.
The director, cast, and producer said they had decided to write the statement once they found out that Pence would be attending.
As the vice-president-elect entered the theater, he was met with boos and some cheers.
Here's Pence getting booed as he gets to his seats at Hamilton pic.twitter.com/IRQG68x1sB
— David K (@dkipke12) November 19, 2016
President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to criticize the cast, claiming that Pence had been “harassed,” and called on them to apologize.
Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016
The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016
Hamilton actor Christopher Jackson responded to Trump’s tweets, calling for the president-elect to apologize himself.
“The countless Americans that have been Insulted, Degraded, Marginalized, Harassed, Intimidated. APOLOGIZE for that! APOLOGIZE for your HATE!” Jackson tweeted.
The countless Americans that have been Insulted, Degraded, Marginalized, Harassed, Intimidated. APOLOGIZE for that! APOLOGIZE for your HATE!
— Christopher Jackson (@ChrisisSingin) November 19, 2016
The Theater IS a "Safe and Special Place". And we stand on that stage rapping HONOR, and TOLERANCE and RESPECT. And ABOVE ALL ELSE, LOVE.
— Christopher Jackson (@ChrisisSingin) November 19, 2016
News of Pence’s Hamilton visit spread across social media, with #MikePence, #Hamilton and #NameAPenceMusical trending on Twitter.
Bravo to the @HamiltonMusical cast for respectfully encouraging VP-Elect @mike_pence to work on behalf of ALL people. https://t.co/kjhu6DMIuw
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) November 19, 2016
Singing in the Acid Rain b/c we Denied Climate Change #nameapencemusical
— Dustin George (@dmgsteez) November 19, 2016
Phantom of the Alt Right #NameAPenceMusical
— Recalcitrant Recluse (@arianelshell) November 19, 2016
New Yorkers are conflicted over what pisses them off more. Pence stance on abortion or Pence got Hamilton tickets
— Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) November 19, 2016
#nameapencemusical Gentlemen Prefer Aryans
— Citizen Mars (@thereforeijam) November 19, 2016
Not everyone agreed with the Hamilton cast’s decision.
I am appalled that a man can't go enjoy a show and he has to be booed and called out for it. @HamiltonMusical you won't get my money.
— Amanda Briganti (@AmandaEWorthy) November 19, 2016
I've been yearning to go to NYC & see @HamiltonMusical It saddens me to feel like b/c I didn't vote for HRC, I wouldn't be welcome there ☹️
— Holly B Thornton (@beachmamax2) November 19, 2016
The foul urban elitism demonstrated by the cast of @HamiltonMusical underscores the real challenge facing our country. #RebelsWithoutaClue
— Sharpen The Fence (@Down8ve) November 19, 2016