Considering Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s political alignment and philosophy, it shouldn’t come as too much of a shock that Donald Trump’s running mate wasn’t given a hero’s welcome during his trip to see the Broadway smash Hamilton. Still, Trump/Pence supporters were promptly outraged by the reception that greeted the new Veep and America’s freshly elected commander-in-chief has stewed about the situation for a number of days. There’s been pushback in the name of Pence, but what does the 50th Governor of Indiana think of the scenario?
The subject came up during Pence’s appearance on Fox News Sunday and it sounds like his supporters were decidedly more offended by how things played out than he was. He told host Chris Wallace that he listened when the show addressed him.
“I did hear what was said from the stage, and I can tell you I wasn’t offended by what was said. I’ll leave to others whether that was the appropriate venue to say it,” said Pence.
“What was said from the stage” was a prepared statement from the cast partially shaped by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and producer Jeffrey Seller. Here’s a transcript from Variety of what actor Brandon V. Dixon said during Friday night’s performance:
“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 on stage. “But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us, all of us. We truly thank you for sharing this show — this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men, women, of different colors, creeds, and orientations.”
Pence’s attitude on the matter is noticeably more laid-back than President-elect Trump’s. Trump is still demanding an apology from Hamilton complete with a “which I hear is highly overrated” dig woven into his tweeting. (Don’t feel lonely, Hamilton. Trump trashed SNL a couple hours later.)
The cast and producers of Hamilton, which I hear is highly overrated, should immediately apologize to Mike Pence for their terrible behavior
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2016
Trump’s review probably didn’t come from Pence. In his chat with Fox News Sunday, Pence praised the show as “incredible” and lauded Hamilton’s “incredibly talented” cast. The President-elect likely didn’t get that “highly overrated” observation from his daughter Ivanka either.
I finally saw @HamiltonMusical last night. I had very high expectations and they were still surpassed! 👍👍 pic.twitter.com/zxNXRJIcOx
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) March 14, 2016
(Via Variety)