Democratic congressman victim of racist attack at Sundance Film Festival

Posted On January 25, 2026January 25, 2026

Florida congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost has reported that he was assaulted by a man in a racially motivated attack at a party during the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

Taking to X to share the news, Frost wrote online: “Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face.”

He added, “He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.”

Frost, who is the first Afro-Cuban and the first member of Gen Z to be elected to Congress, also wrote, “Thank you to the venue security and Park City PD for assistance on this incident.”

The suspect has been identified as a man named Christian Young. He has since been arrested and booked on charges of “aggravated burglary and two counts of simple assault, with each charge subject to a sentencing enhancement”.

Park City police community outreach lieutenant Danielle Snelson shared with The Guardian that the situation happened just after midnight. Snelson added, “Christian Young unlawfully entered a private party after previously being turned away for not having an invitation.”

She continued, “Once inside the saloon, Young assaulted Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost and a female who was attending the private event.”

According to the Variety write-up of the incident, which Frost shared to his X, the “attacker apparently shocked other people in the bathroom by talking about how proud he was to be ‘white’. He then allegedly punched Frost after he left the facilities.”

After assuring concerned X users that he is okay, Frost went on to write, “We are in scary times. Please stay safe and do not let these people silence you. Onwards.”

The film festival released an official statement condemning the attack: “We strongly condemn last night’s assault and abhor any form of violence, harassment, and hate speech.”

It continued, “While the incident occurred at a non-Festival-affiliated event, such behavior is intolerable and against our values of upholding a welcoming and inspiring environment for all our attendees.”

This year’s festival, taking place between January 22nd and February 1st, will be held for the last time in Park City, Utah, before moving to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027.

Related Topics