Gay journo detained for booing, giving thumbs-down to Trump during ‘Chicago’ show at Kennedy Center

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump went to the opening night of the 'Chicago' musical show at the Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts last week. 

During the show, a man named Eugene Ramirez allegedly booed the president and showed him a thumbs-down sign. Ramirez, a gay journalist and resident of Washington, DC, later said that security detained him for a short time because of his behavior.

The man explained that he was only expressing his opinion, which many people believe is allowed as free speech.

Journalist detained after booing Trump at Kennedy Center performance

A former national TV journalist, Eugene Ramirez, attended the 'Chicago' show with his friends and said he reacted with a thumbs-down when Trump and Melania appeared in a balcony.

While many in the audience cheered, his response stood out. Ramirez later revealed that he was briefly detained after booing Trump.

“Within moments, the director (of security) and another guard approached and escorted me to a side area,” he said. “I was detained until everyone was seated and the lights dimmed.”

He said the moment felt unusual, especially as a former journalist. “Journalism is a vocation, not just a job. I immediately knew there wasn’t just an uncomfortable interaction with security,” he explained. 

According to Ramirez, a security official told him, “they don’t want booing,” though it wasn’t clear who “they” referred to. He was later allowed to return to his seat once the show began.

Ramirez believes the situation was more about image than safety. “There was no disruption... The difference was that my reaction, unlike most, was negative,” he told the Washington Blade.

He added, “Simply expressing dissent... drew the attention of security. It made it feel less like decorum and more like an effort to control the narrative.” Reflecting on the incident, he said, “Democracy only works when citizens are allowed to boo.”

Trump’s Kennedy Center visit draws mixed reactions

Trump visited the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, March 31. This is believed to be his last visit before the venue closes for two years for renovation under his orders.

It was also the first time Trump and Melania were seen together at the center since January. At that time, during the premiere of 'Melania,' Trump called his wife “a big movie star” and said the documentary was “the biggest-selling documentary in 20 years.”

The couple's latest appearance seemingly sparked mixed reactions from the audience. While some clapped and cheered for, a few boos also seemingly erupted from the crowd. 

This was not the first time Trump received mixed reactions at the venue. He also attended the opening night of 'Les Misérables' last summer, which prompted a similar response.