President Donald Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton, is making headlines this week ahead of the publication of his tell-all memoir about his time in the White House.
Bolton's The Room Where It Happened alleges Trump begged Chinese officials to assist his reelection efforts, that he supported concentration camps in China, and a bevy of other allegations.
But while his book may be giving Bolton a surge of publicity, Broadway legend Lin-Manuel Miranda isn't having any of it.
Miranda wrote and starred in the Broadway smash hit Hamilton, which tells the story of America's birth using hip hop and employing a cast of primarily people of color.
One of the Tony winning musical's most popular numbers is The Room Where It Happens, in which Aaron Burr expresses his determination to be in the rooms where people debate and make decisions that will change the world.
Bolton—who could've changed the world by acquiescing to Congress's calls to testify during Trump's impeachment hearings—chose to make money with a memoir instead.
His book alleges numerous impeachable offenses on Trump's part, all of which are now useless because he refused to testify.
Lin-Manuel used lyrics from Hamilton to call Bolton out.
Let me tell you what I wish I'd known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control
Who lives, who dies, who
[borrows your song title to write a cash-in book when they could have testified before Congress]
tells your story...https://t.co/mJlJaxGDnf
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 18, 2020
People agreed that Bolton's actions were selfish and sleazy.
What he thought he was doing pic.twitter.com/ozz6BFgWKC
— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten) June 18, 2020
Ugh I heard the title on NPR this morning (been avoiding news about it) and I was so angry for you.
— Geraldine (@everywhereist) June 18, 2020
Can you write a musical about the Trump debacle, and make Mr Bolton a very unsavoury character that we can all boo at? Your musicals will certainly outlive Mr Bolton's literary effort.
— IffyJoan (@JoanRaymond13) June 18, 2020
I am so angry on your behalf. <3
— Caitlin is Writing Slam Poetry (@squeevening) June 18, 2020
Several people thought Miranda was being polite by using the term "borrow" for what Bolton did with his lyric.
“Borrows" is SUPER generous. That dude stole your work, simple as that.
— Dani Brunet (@diasporadani) June 18, 2020
"borrows" - you're too kind
— Tracy Milne (@TootieM) June 18, 2020
The fact that you used the word “borrow" and not “steal and has no respect for the artist". You're too kind sir.
— Iraa (@iraa_sharma20) June 18, 2020
Bolton isn't expected to respond.
@LeeMerrittesq/X
@bob_moss/X
@jelanijones/Bluesky
@Aurkayne/X
@sadcommunistdog; @froglok/Bluesky