Republican Representative Lauren Boebert has apologized after being kicked out of a musical play in Colorado for disruptive behavior and then falsely denying she had been vaping. The apology came after surveillance video emerged showing Boebert vaping at her seat in a Denver theater, contradicting her earlier denial.
Boebert said in a statement that her actions were not meant to be malicious or cause harm, but she acknowledges that they did. She was ejected from the “Beetlejuice” musical following complaints from the audience about her vaping, singing, phone use, and disruptive behavior.
The surveillance video showed Boebert vaping while the lights were on, dancing and using her phone during the performance. After the incident, she initially posted on social media admitting to enjoying the musical but denying the vaping allegations.
In her statement, Boebert mentioned that she is going through a divorce and acknowledged that her behavior was unacceptable. She also admitted that she did not recall vaping that evening when discussing the events with her campaign manager.
Boebert, known for her combative style, has gained national attention for aligning with the extreme right wing of the GOP. She is currently serving her second term in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.
The theater, which released the surveillance video, did not name Boebert directly but said that she and her companion were escorted out of the venue. According to theater representatives, the two guests initially refused to leave and made comments implying their importance.
The incident ended when the theater threatened to involve the police and the two ultimately left. The Buell Theater is owned by the city of Denver.
• Brown reported from Billings, Mont.
• Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
