Shakespeare In The Park Loses Sponsors Over Trump Stabbing Controversy

CENTRAL PARK, NY — Delta Airlines and Bank of America have cut ties with the Public Theater after its performance of Julius Caesar featured a Donald Trump-like character in the starring role.

Bank of America said in a statement that while it "supports arts programs worldwide," the Public Theater's production was "intended to provoke and offend." The bank is pulling funding from the theater nonprofit after an 11-year partnership.

Delta Airlines pulled its funding for similar reasons, saying in a Twitter statement that the production's "artistic and creative direction crossed the line on the standards of good taste."

The Public Theater responded to the backlash Monday afternoon, issuing a statement that thanked its supporters.

"We continue to be guided by out values of openness, inclusion, and the conviction that in drama and democracy alike, the clash of opposing views leads to the truth. The Public Theater has always been — and will remain — for, by, and of the people," the statement read.

The theater drew the ire of the right-wing media last week. "Julius Caesar's" 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. Caesar is killed in the play.

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."

Many conservative news pundits and media outlets such as Brietbart, The Blaze and Fox News have picked up the story.

"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.

Pool photo via Getty Images News/Getty Images