Police Arrest Man Accused of Punching Rep. Maxwell Frost at Sundance
Written by b87fm on 01/26/2026
Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) says he was punched in the face during a Sundance Film Festival party in what he described as a racist, politically motivated assault. Utah authorities have since arrested a suspect in the incident.
The 29-year-old Afro-Latino lawmaker, who was born in Orlando, said he was attending a private event in Park City when a man confronted him and then struck him.
“I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival,” Frost wrote on X. He said the suspect made deportation threats before throwing the punch and was heard yelling racist remarks as he fled. “The individual was arrested,” Frost added.
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 was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.
Thank you to the venue security and… https://t.co/Nhpj5rl3JO
— Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@RepMaxwellFrost) January 24, 2026
Police later identified the suspect as 28-year-old Christian Young. According to authorities, Young had attempted to enter the private party at High West Saloon, a popular Sundance gathering spot, but was denied access. Investigators say he then unlawfully entered the event and assaulted Frost as well as a woman attending the party. No additional details about the second victim have been released.
The confrontation between Young and Frost reportedly occurred inside the men’s restroom. During the incident, the suspect shouted that he was proud to be “white,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Event security detained Young before he was taken into custody by police. He was booked into the Summit County Jail on multiple charges, including aggravated burglary and simple assault.
Frost said he is physically okay and thanked venue security along with Park City police for their quick response.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) condemned the attack in a statement posted on X.
“I am horrified by the attack on Congressman Maxwell Frost. Grateful that he is okay, but appalled that this terrifying assault took place,” Jeffries said. “The perpetrator must be aggressively prosecuted. Hate and political violence has no place in our country, and the entire House Democratic Caucus family stands with Maxwell.”
Sundance Film Festival organizers also denounced the assault, noting that it occurred at an event not officially affiliated with the festival.
“We strongly condemn last night’s assault and abhor any form of violence, harassment, and hate speech,” the statement read. “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.”
The incident comes amid growing concerns about rising xenophobia and increasingly open expressions of racist and politically motivated violence across the country.
