Boebert denied vaping before 'Beetlejuice' ejection, but the video shows otherwise
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) said she was asked to leave for having too much fun, not breaking the rules. Roll the tape!
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) was escorted from a Denver theater during a Sunday night performance of the musical "Beetlejuice," her campaign confirmed Tuesday after The Denver Post reported the incident. A security report from the city-owned Buell Theatre said two unidentified patrons were ejected for "vaping, singing, causing a disturbance" and recording parts of the show, the Post and The Colorado Sun reported.
Boebert, through campaign spokesman Drew Sexton, denied vaping or causing any undue disturbance. Boebert said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she pleaded "guilty to laughing and singing too loud!" Sexton said Boebert, "to the dismay of a select few, enthusiastically enjoyed" the performance, but the accusations of vaping might have been "a misunderstanding from someone sitting near her," confused by heavy fog machines and electronic cigarettes used in the performance.
Surveillance video from the theater shows that Boebert was indeed vaping, as well as taking flash photography and causing other disturbances, Next 9News host Kyle Clark reported Thursday night.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The woman sitting behind Boebert, a pregnant woman in her 30s, told the Post that when she asked the congresswoman to stop vaping, she said "no." Boebert was also making out with her male companion and singing loudly, the woman said. "These people in front of us were outrageous. I've never seen anyone act like that before."
After intermission, Boebert called the woman a "sad and miserable person," she told the Post. “The guy she was with offered to buy me and my husband cocktails. I'm pregnant!"
The surveillance video also showed Boebert flipping off theater staff when leaving the theater. According to the incident report, Boebert and her companion said "stuff like 'do you know who I am,' 'I am on the board,' (and) 'I will be contacting the mayor,'" as they were being escorted from the premises.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The best homes of the year
Feature Featuring a grand turret entrance in New York and built-in glass elevator in Arizona
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nordstrom family, investor to take retail chain private
Speed Read The business will be acquired by members of the family and El Puerto de Liverpool, a Mexican real estate company
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden commutes most federal death sentences
Speed Read The president downgraded the punishment of 37 of 40 prisoners on death row to life in prison without parole
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'All too often, we get caught up in tunnel vision'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What is Mitch McConnell's legacy?
Talking Point Moving on after a record-setting run as Senate GOP leader
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
What Donald Trump owes the Christian Right
The Explainer Conservative Christians played an important role in Trump’s re-election, and he has promised them great political influence
By The Week UK Published
-
Could Trump use impoundment to skate around Congress?
Today's Big Question The incoming president could refuse to spend money allocated by the legislative branch
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What will Trump do on day one?
Today's Big Question Presidents often promise immediate action, but rarely deliver
By David Faris Published