Man Arrested After Reportedly Disrupting 'Hamilton' With Pro-Trump Meltdown

By Stephen Gossett in News on Nov 21, 2016 12:08AM

'Hamilton' / Courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

Ok, now this is what harassment at a performance of Hamilton looks like, President-elect Trump.

The same day Trump very conveniently castigated the Broadway cast of Hamilton for its perfectly respectful call to Vice President-elect Mike Pence that he “uphold our inalienable rights," a local man was arrested at the Chicago performance, on Saturday night, after reportedly shouting at cast and audience members, flipping people off and even spilling a drink on a child.

John Palmer, 56, of the 100 block of E Illinois St., was charged with one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass to land, Officer Kevin Quaid, a police spokesperson told Chicagoist. Palmer was asked to leave by theatre workers for causing a disturbance, but had to be detained by security when he refused to go, Quaid said.

Witnesses told Pajaba that a seemingly drunk Palmer spilled wine on a kid seated behind him, but he really flew off the handle when after the famous “Immigrants. We get the job done” line was delivered on stage.

“He started raising his voice and throwing up middle fingers at anyone who looked at him, including me and my best friend,” Ken Keacher told Pajaba.

“He was saying things like, ‘We won. Trump is president. Get over it’,” witness Kate Hoyt told the blog. “At some point (Keacher) leaned into the aisle to try and tell him to leave and the guy then put up both his fists and said ‘Let’s go Democrats. I’ll kill you all.’”

In a video posted on Facebook by audience member Jeff Grider, a man who seems to be Palmer is seen spewing, "You pussy piece of shit" over and over again while what appears to be theatre security attempts to hold him. (Hat tip to DNA Info for the video.)

Palmer has a court date set for Jan. 9, police said.