Hundreds walk out as Amy Schumer gets political
Can fans love a comedian, but hate their politics?
Some members of Amy Schumer’s audience seemed to think so this weekend. Around 200 people walked out of her Tampa show when Schumer launched into a withering takedown of Donald Trump. The Tampa Bay Times reports some fans booed or walked out after Schumer called Trump an “orange, sexual-assaulting, fake- college-starting monster.”
It’s somewhat of a surprise that fans were caught off guard because Schumer isn’t known for suppressing her political views.
In fact, she has been very vocal about her opinions in the past. She’s advocated for Hillary Clinton on various talk show appearances, pushed for gun-control legislation and even features a callout in the back of her new book informing readers how they can take action on the issue. That’s all without mentioning the various sketches on her show that make her political standing crystal clear.
But in the Tampa audience, some were more than surprised – they were offended, and took to Twitter to voice their disagreement.
Hey @amyschumer leave the political stuff out of your comedy shows. We came to laugh not talk politics. We can turn On CNN and NBC for that😊
— Luisa Metallo (@LuiGucci) October 17, 2016
that moment when you go to a comedy show to get a break from all the political drama, but this happens https://t.co/zUdSgfqc96 #AmySchumer
— Alex∑π (@PixieSlide) October 17, 2016
@amyschumer you ruined my night. spent 300 for a comedy show. Then you went on a political path that was rude and disrespectful to Tampa.
— Nick Poe (@Nicholaspoe) October 17, 2016
That said – out of an audience of thousands of fans, a vast majority stuck with the show, and a lot of fans did speak up in recognition of her ideals:
AMY SCHUMER SOUNDING POLITICAL SHOULD SURPRISE NO ONE!
— Mile High & Mad (@jlbrow7) October 17, 2016
https://t.co/WVo2D1myGp via @TB_Times
Great show @amyschumer! Big ups for getting political. #tampa #lovefl #AmySchumer
— Krystle Murphy (@NewMurphyLaw) October 17, 2016
At what point is a reasonable conclusion that an Amy Schumer show is not going to be political?https://t.co/HWdsPdDq70
— StealthBadger (@stealthbadger) October 17, 2016
As for Schumer? She seems to have moved on:
All love Tampa https://t.co/KvYGJeR7uz
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) October 17, 2016
In a statement to Vanity Fair, Ms. Schumer wrote: “I loved the crowd and my show in Tampa last night! I want to thank the 8400 people who stayed. We had a great time! We have always depended on comedians to make us laugh and tell the truth. I am proud to continue that tradition.”