Shakespeare In The Park Draws Right-Wing Ire For Trump-Themed Assassination

CENTRAL PARK, NY — Prominent right-wing news outlets and conservative media commentators are bashing the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park performance of "Julius Caesar" for a graphic assassination scene featuring a President Trump lookalike being stabbed multiple times.

The Public Theater's free production of "Julius Caesar" features a contemporary take on the Shakespeare classic. Director Oskar Eustis decided to adapt the play into a reflection on modern politics in which Caesar trades in his toga for a boxy suit and extra-long tie. While Trump is never mentioned by name, the actor portraying Caesar wears slicked-back strawberry blond hair and seems to draw inspiration from the 45th U.S. president.

When theatergoer Laura Sheaffer saw a man bearing a resemblance to the president being brutally stabbed — complete with gushing blood — on stage, and shared her reaction with radio personality Joe Piscopo, the right-wing outrage machine sprung into action. (Keep up to date with news from your neighborhood by signing for Patch's free daily newsletters.)

"To be honest I thought it was shocking and distasteful," Sheaffer told Piscopo, as first reported by Mediaite. "If this had happened to any other president — even as recently as Barack Obama or George W. Bush — it would not have flown. People would have been horrified."

Ultra-conservative news outlets such as Brietbart and The Blaze quickly picked up the story and compared the Public Theater's production to Kathy Griffin's headless Trump stunt. Conservative pundits also took to social media to condemn the production.

"This is sick! When will the Hollywood types learn it is inappropriate to act out the death of our president?" CNN panelist and Trump supporter Kayleigh McEnany tweeted.

Other than the scene where Caesar is assassinated in the Roman Senate, Sheaffer didn't have any problems with the production and found it to be a mostly honest and "fascinating" interpretation of the original Shakespeare drama.

The Public Theater did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment. The Public Theater's production of "Julius Caesar" will play nightly until June 18. Tickets are free, and shows start at 8 p.m. If you want to see the play for yourself, you should plan on showing up early as demand is usually high and space is limited.

Pool photo via Getty Images News/Getty Images