Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert has revealed that she has "peacefully parted" ways with her date who was ejected with her from a performance of Beetlejuice due to disruptive behavior at a Denver theater.
In a video interview with TMZ, Boebert referenced reports that her date—bar owner Quinn Gallagher—was a Democrat, stating:
"All future date nights have been canceled and I learned to check party affiliations before you go on a date." ...
“Nothing to do with anything anybody reported. But honestly, he’s a private citizen and, you know, we have peacefully parted at this time."
"Great man, great friend, and I wish him all the best.”
You can hear what she said in the video below.
Boebert has continued to weather criticism about her "outrageous behavior" during a touring production of Beetlejuice and those who attended the performance confirmed she was vaping and taking photos during the show.
Additionally, Boebert is facing accusations that she was getting rather hot and heavy with her date that night—and surveillance footage suggests she was fondling Gallagher in the middle of a performance where children were present.
The heightened press attention also exposed Gallagher to scrutiny. Gallagher, the co-owner of the Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar in Aspen, Colorado, has seen his business flooded by negative reviews since he and Boebert were photographed together.
Boebert, meanwhile, has long courted controversy for her vocal opposition to various LGBTQ+ events and causes—so it raised eyebrows when news outlets reported that Gallagher's establishment is known for hosting LGBTQ+ events, including a women's party for Aspen Gay Ski Week and a drag performance called "A Winter Wonderland Burlesque & Drag Show."
A source close to Gallagher's family toldThe Daily Mail that the news he had gone out with Boebert was “very surprising" because Gallagher's parents—staunch Democrats themselves—"would be horrified because they are definitely blue."
Boebert was swiftly called out for her hypocrisy.
Boebert's camp initially acknowledged that she was taking photos during the performance but disputed reports that she was vaping; a campaign statement did not address her groping behavior.
Theater officials confirmed that two patrons, including Boebert, were escorted out of the show after talking loudly, vaping, and using cameras during the performance. They had been warned about their behavior during intermission when a pregnant audience member who was sitting behind them complained, but continued to disrupt the show in the second act, leading to their removal.
Boebert initially attributed the incident to her "overtly animated personality" and later admitted to vaping during the show. However, she claimed she "genuinely did not recall" doing so.
A local Denver news anchor, Kyle Clark, called Boebert out live on air for her behavior and then lying about it afterward.