Theater producers do a modern take on Shakespeare plays
LEMON: All right. We are back. Even a stroll in the park is filled with drama these days. At least if you are taking in a performance of Shakespeare in the park right here in New York City. Back now with my panel. You guys all know what I'm going to discuss. Shakespeare in the park, an institution, Tara, in New York City, producers do a modern take on Shakespeare plays. But in their production, Julius Caesar, they portrayed Donald Trump as Caesar, and, of course, as in every production, you know that's how it ends, Caesar gets murdered. Do you think they crossed the line in portraying a sitting President this way?</s>PALMERI: I think more than crossing the line, I think you see a real mobilization by the right wing activists right now. Traditionally, it's been the left that's been really great at organizing and boycotting against corporations that tend to offend people politically, like what happened with chick fillet and the boycott there. This time you are really seeing a group of activists who are mobilizing to defend Trump. It's like they have a new purpose and a new reason. And if you look on the internet, you are seeing tons of these people on twitter. I mean, there is obviously push by BreitBart and Pop News (ph). But they put enough pressure that corporate sponsors like Delta and Bank of America said that they are going to back out of the sponsorship of the show. So I think that is just enlightening the base in another way.</s>LEMON: Yes. A lot of those are bots, too, by the way. So yes. It's not real people. Jason, tonight the public theater's artistic director spoke to the crowd before the performance. Let's take a listen.</s>OSKAR EUSTIS, ARTIST DIRECTOR, PUBLIC THEATER: Anybody who watched this play tonight, and I'm sorry, there is going to be a couple of spoiler alerts here. But will know that neither Shakespeare nor the public theater could possibly advocate violence as a solution to the political problems</s>LEMON: He means that Caesar's murders eventually all die in battle or by suicide. Does that satisfy you, Jason?</s>MILLER: Look. I think this is terrible and inappropriate. I mean, whether it's this -- whatever it was in the park, or whether it's Kathy Griffin with the chopped-off head of President Trump. And you know what, frankly, even when people on the right do it, whether Ted Nugent has said some pretty offensive things over recent years, when you are talking about actually killing people or creating images that lend people to think about killing people, that goes beyond art. I don't think that's entertaining. I think it is just downright offensive regardless of who the target is.</s>LEMON: You guys realize that there was one about Obama in 2012 as well, right? And the same ending. Do you think that we should be boycotting art -- I'm not saying it is right for them to do it or not do it? And he was doing a Caesar, and guess what, he dies.</s>MILLER: Well, there are two separate issues.</s>LEMON: There's a scene right there of him dying.</s>MILLER: Should art be boycotted? Should art be censured? No. But we live in a very tribal politically sensitive time. Meaning, tribal politically. And people are very sensitive about this sort of thing. And corporations, which just want to make money, and don't want to be in the business of offending anybody ever, are not going to want to have their names associated with anything that could get them into hot water, and bring them unnecessary, unflattering press. And that is the entire reaction to this.</s>LEMON: Jason Kander, don't you think that's an impossible standard, though? Because listen, if you want - if you don't believe in what Shakespeare in the park is doing, then don't do it. All of these boycotts, I just think it's really dangerous. Yes, freedom of speech, you have to pay the consequences if people don't like it. But all this boycotting and all this stuff, I think it is a bit dangerous. If you don't like Shakespeare in the park, don't go see it. If you don't like watching this show, don't turn it on. But don't boycott because it's just not what you like.</s>KANDER: I think it's amazing how eager everybody in the Trump administration is do constantly put themselves in the position of victim considering the facts that they spent years building a political philosophy around criticizing people for being politically correct. I mean, let's start with what is really happening here. I don't think that the President of the United States or anybody in his administration, is actually offended by this show going on. I think it's in New York. But the reality is, if you don't want to go see the show, then don't buy a ticket. Don't go to the show. Meanwhile, what's going on in Washington is something that Americans can't cash in their ticket to and not attend. If you are on the edge of your seat right now worried about whether or not you're going to lose your health care, because 13 Republican men in Washington are plotting against you and not telling anybody the details, well, that's not something you can just give your ticket away for. And by the way, this is what the Trump administration is upset about. Two sergeants and a corporal died in Afghanistan yesterday.</s>LEMON: Yes. I do think it is sort - it is going to make a controversy. I have to go, though, because I have to get something else on the air. And I do have to say thank you all very much. By the way, Christopher Ruddy was supposed to join us. There was some confusion about timing and him getting here. So we will try to get Christopher to come on as soon as possible. President Trump's friend who made some remarks today about the President, maybe firing getting rid of the special counsel. When we come right back, though, a cause close to my heart. Plus, more from this guy who might be after my job.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Grayson here today. I'm with Don Lemon. What is your favorite part of this event so far?</s>LEMON: My favorite part is getting to hang out with you.