Apology for ‘Heil Trump’ heckle

A MAN said he was sorry for shouting “Heil Hitler! Heil Trump!”, during a performance of Fiddler on the Roof. The man, identified as Anthony M Derlunas II, caused panic in Baltimore’s The man was seated on the balcony Hippodrome Theatre after he made the outburst during the play’s intermission.

Several members of the audience fled the theatre, believing the shouting was the prelude to a mass shooting. 11 people died last month in an attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

Mr Derlunas later told the Baltimore Sun that his intention had been to draw a comparison between the US President’s immigration policies and the persecution of the play’s protagonists.

He said: “Instantly it was like, ‘Oh my God, what did you do?’ The thing that I can’t stand is Trump spreading hatred, and what did I do? I spread hatred.

“I shouldn’t have taken my political frustrations out at a public show. How I could have been so stupid and insensitive? I don’t know.

“I feel so sorry for the fear and the people’s night that I ruined. I just wasn’t thinking.”

Mr Derlunas was escorted out of the building and issued with a police warning. He has also been given a lifetime ban from the Hippodrome Theatre .

He admitted he had been drinking before the show.