Theater folks don’t mess around. Twitter users were fired up after Donald Trump‘s supporters called for a Hamilton boycott in defense of Mike Pence, who was booed while attending the Broadway show on Friday, November 18.
As previously reported, the vice president–elect, 57, was greeted with a series of boos as he arrived at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City. After the show, actor Brandon Victor Dixen, who portrays Aaron Burr, directly addressed Pence while standing onstage with the Hamilton cast.
“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,” Dixen said to a roaring applause from the audience. “But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us. All of us. Again, we truly thank you truly for seeing this show, this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds and orientations.”
The news quickly went viral, and by Saturday morning, #BoycottHamilton was trending on Twitter after Trump, 70, claimed that the cast “harassed” Pence, who is an outspoken opponent of gay marriage. “Apologize!” the president-elect demanded.
One Trump supporter tweeted, “Dear Mr. Pence, Thank you [for] visiting. Please sit there so we can lecture you. We won’t give you [a] chance to respond. Unfair #boycotthamilton.” Another added, “People go to a show for entertainment, Not to be lectured. There’s something people [have] forgotten. It’s called RESPECT #BoycottHamilton.”
Many users, however, laughed off the idea of boycotting one of the most successful shows in Broadway history. “#BoycottHamilton? Good luck with that. Tickets are already sold-out past President-elect Troll’s impeachment,” Westworld actor Jeffrey Wright wrote.
Several other fans saw the boycott as an opportunity to score a ticket to the sold out show. “You know what? I support #BoycottHamilton. I hope it intensifies — especially during the first week of March, maybe that Sunday matinee?” stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt wrote. Personal trainer Jillian Michaels added, “For everyone who is going to #BoycottHamilton my family, friends, & I will fall on the sword & take your tickets. #wegotyou.”
See more #BoycottHamilton reactions below!
