Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) has apologized after she and her male friend were asked to leave while attending the production of Beetlejuice last week in Denver for their disruptive behavior.
Boebert denied any wrongdoing until a surveillance video was released revealing her inappropriate behavior. Her office also supported her actions, stating that she was not vaping, and it only seemed that way due to the “heavy fog machines and electronic cigarettes used during the play.”
She initially rejected the accusations against her on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “It’s true, I did thoroughly enjoy the AMAZING Beetlejuice at the Buell Theatre and I plead guilty to laughing and singing too loud! Everyone should go see it if you get the chance this week and please let me know how it ends!”
Now a video is circulating on social media showing Boebert vaping, blowing smoke around, dancing, taking photos of the performers, groping her guest and, as she was being escorted out, giving ushers her middle finger.
A pregnant woman sitting behind the representative asked her to stop vaping, but she refused to.
Before being escorted out, Boebert had already been warned once and had three complaints from other guests. In the end, the staff was forced to call the police, but she refused to comply with their requests.
According to the incident report that was filed, the two were asked to leave because Boebert was “vaping, singing, [and] causing a disturbance.”
An employee also stated, “They told me they would not leave. I told them that they need to leave the theater and if they do not, they will be trespassing. The patrons said they would not leave. I told them I would [be] going to get Denver Police. They said go get them.”
Boebert attempted to threaten the ushers by warning them “Do you know who I am,” “I am on the board” and “I will be contacting the mayor.”
Boebert released a statement with her apologies and took responsibility for her actions. “The past few days have been difficult and humbling, and I’m truly sorry for the unwanted attention my Sunday evening in Denver has brought to the community,” she wrote. “While none of my actions or words as a private citizen that night were intended to be malicious or meant to cause harm, the reality is they did and I regret that.”
She cited her current divorce from Jayson Boebert as one reason why she acted so inappropriately. “There’s no perfect blueprint for going through a public and difficult divorce, which over the past few months has made for a challenging personal time for me and my entire family. I’ve tried to handle it with strength and grace as best I can, but I simply fell short of my values on Sunday. That’s unacceptable and I’m sorry.”
She continued that she “genuinely did not recall vaping that evening” and that when denying the allegations, “it was not my or my campaign’s intention to mislead, but we do understand the nature of how this looks.”
She concluded by thanking the people who defended her and that “I’ve learned some humbling lessons these past few days but I vow moving forward, I will make you proud.”
Many say these actions by the representative may have cost her reelection, as she has already announced she will be campaigning for a third term. Boebert only won her current seat by less than 600 votes.
