Donna Cohen: Trump wrong to criticize ‘Hamilton’ cast

Regarding the Nov. 20 People item “ ‘Hamilton’ ad libs for Pence; Trump fires back a tweet”: Vice President-elect Mike Pence attended a recent performance of the brilliant broadway play, “Hamilton,” the story of our Founding Fathers and mothers.

At the end of the performance, the actors engaged Pence by expressing concern over the rhetoric of the campaign and reminding him that many Americans are “alarmed and anxious” about the incoming administration and what it’s policies will be on protecting “... us, our planet, our children, our parents or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights.”

Instead of using this plea as an opportunity to assure all Americans that their voices are heard and that he will be the president for us all, President-elect Trump chastised the cast tweeting that the remarks constituted an”harassment” of Pence, that they were “very rude” and they (the cast) should apologize.

This does not bode well for our country and the ideals captured in the musical and our Constitution – that all Americans are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, free from discrimination, reprisal and condescension.

Shame on Trump. He proved once again that he does not intend to represent all Americans. We have good reason to be alarmed and anxious.

This story was originally published November 23, 2016 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Donna Cohen: Trump wrong to criticize ‘Hamilton’ cast."