Delta withdraws support for theater production with Trump-like Julius Caesar

Delta Air Lines withdrew its sponsorship of New York’s The Public Theater on Sunday after the “Free Shakespeare” summer production of “Julius Caesar” appeared to portray the slain Roman dictator as a President Trump-like character.

“No matter what your political stance may be, the graphic staging of Julius Caesar at this summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park does not reflect Delta Air Lines’ values,” the airlines said in a series of four tweets.

“Their artistic and creative direction crossed the line on the standards of good taste. We have notified them of our decision to end our sponsorship as the official airline of The Public Theater effective immediately,” it continued.

No matter what your political stance may be, the graphic staging of Julius Caesar at this summer’s Free Shakespeare in… 1/4

— Delta (@Delta) June 11, 2017

…the Park does not reflect Delta Air Lines’ values. Their artistic and creative direction crossed the line on the… 2/4

— Delta (@Delta) June 11, 2017

…standards of good taste. We have notified them of our decision to end our sponsorship as the official airline of… 3/4

— Delta (@Delta) June 11, 2017

…The Public Theater effective immediately. *HSF 4/4

— Delta (@Delta) June 11, 2017

{mosads}The man who played Julius Caesar reportedly had blondish hair and was dressed up in a suit and tie while sporting an American flag pin, Fox News reported.

In the Shakespearean tragedy, Caesar is stabbed in the back by political rivals.

Donald Trump Jr., one of the president’s adult sons, tweeted about the production, asking, “When does ‘art’ become political speech & does that change things?” 

I wonder how much of this “art” is funded by taxpayers? Serious question, when does “art” become political speech & does that change things? https://t.co/JfOmLLBJCn

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 11, 2017

More than one playgoer expressed concern about the violence directed toward a character that looked like the president.

“It’s just concerning we’re seeing more and more violent rhetoric towards our president in the form of the arts and Hollywood,” one playgoer told the conservative news network.

Another attendee said art and theater are “provocative,” which aim to be thought-provoking. 

Comedian Kathy Griffin came under fire last month for posting a photo where she is holding what appears to be the bloody, severed head of Trump.