WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) — Vice President-elect Mike Pence says he wasn’t offended the Broadway cast of “Hamilton” addressed him from the stage and he insists he doesn’t want the stars to apologize for their message.
“I did hear what was said from the stage. I can tell you I wasn’t offended by what was said. I will leave to others whether that was the appropriate venue to say it,” he said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”
Pence also said he understood the boos by the audience were what “freedom sounds like.”
But President-elect Donald Trump was displeased.
He demanded Saturday on Twitter: “Apologize!”
Trump also complained Sunday morning, tweeting: “The cast and producers of Hamilton, which I hear is highly overrated, should immediately apologize to Mike Pence for their terrible behavior.”
Brandon Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr, thanked Pence for attending the play, and said, “We hope 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,” Dixon said. “We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.”
Pence had nothing but kind words for the performance.
“My daughter and I and her cousins really enjoyed the show. ‘Hamilton’ is just an incredible production, incredibly talented people. It was a real joy to be there,” Pence said.
“When we arrived we heard a few boos, and we heard some cheers,” he said. “I nudged my kids and reminded them that is what freedom sounds like.”
Pence also emphasized in the Fox interview that Trump will serve all people.
“He is preparing to be the president of all of the people of the United States of America and to watch him bringing together people of diverse views, bringing people together who disagreed with him strongly, seeing him talk to leaders around the world,” he said. “I just want to reassure every American that in the days ahead I am very confident that they are going to see President-elect Trump be a president for all of the people and we embrace that principle. We are going to work hard to make that principle every day that we serve.”
He said he understands almost half the American people did not vote for Trump.
“I know this is a very anxious time for some people,” he said.
