Bruce Springsteen guitarist chides 'Hamilton' for Pence incident. But when liberals find out — war!

Bruce Springsteen guitarist Steven Van Zandt isn't one to keep his left-leaning views to himself.

When Springsteen canceled a North Carolina concert last spring over the state's law blocking anti-discrimination rules covering the LGBT community, Van Zandt said such legislation “is spreading like an evil virus” around the country and “we should try and stop this early.”

But after a "Hamilton" cast member controversially broke character to lecture Vice President-elect Mike Pence, asking him to "uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us," President-elect Donald Trump wasn't the only one to protest.

So did Van Zandt:

Hamilton made a mistake. Audiences shouldn't have to worry about being blindsided like that. Theater should be sanctuary for Art to speak.

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016

Lin-Manuel is a genius. He has created the greatest play since West Side Story. He is also a role model. This sets a terrible precedent>

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016

>Completely inappropriate. Theater should be a safe haven for Art to speak. Not the actors. He needs to apologize to Mike Pence @Lin_Manuel

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016

When artists perform the venue becomes your home. The audience are your guests. It is nothing short of the same bullying tactic we rightly>

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016

>have criticized Trump for in the past. It's taking unfair advantage of someone who thought they were a protected guest in your home.

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016

With that, Van Zandt took a beating from his brethren on the left — among them author Anne Rice and actor Richard Belzer — but Van Zandt wasn't backing down:

@StevieVanZandt @Peggynoonannyc You could not be more wrong. Racism and bigotry are NOT acceptable! American cannot normalize them now!

— Anne Rice (@AnneRiceAuthor) November 19, 2016

Bigotry is obviously never acceptable. I am saying it is a bad precedent for actors to start addressing audience members! Please read all. https://t.co/UvxBmdIFjJ

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016

@StevieVanZandt Stevie stop going through ethical

gymnastics to justify your way too thin logic!

— Richard Belzer (@MRbelzer) November 19, 2016

I love you Richard. You want to do this in public? We can. The Broadway Community and its Art need to be protected. My logic is impeccable. https://t.co/vYt94LNLcU

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 19, 2016

@StevieVanZandt made a stupid statement and spent today defending it on Twitter. In real news, @realDonaldTrump paid $25m to cover up fraud

— Seton Hawkins (@setonhawkins) November 20, 2016

I'm still here tough guy. I spent the time because it happens to be a worthwhile and important discussion. Explain to me why I'm so stupid. https://t.co/d2oeTZ1bM0

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 20, 2016

@StevieVanZandt @Lin_Manuel With your definition of "appropriate," this country would still have slavery.

— Robert Margolis (@RobertMargolis) November 20, 2016

Wow! Now there's an insight! Would you believe that never even occurred to me! Did you come up with that all by yourself? https://t.co/YDM8MgKIJV

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 20, 2016

.@StevieVanZandt, if you cared about your Broadway family, you'd be outspoken on this assault against gay rights. Don't be a coward. https://t.co/nyRAsNY3NW

— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) November 20, 2016

What are you like 10? I've spent my life defending human rights including LGBT. Remember us boycotting North Carolina? Were you born yet? https://t.co/fihIWXlrYa

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 20, 2016

Finally, Van Zandt had it with the Twitter battle:

Ok. Enough. I'm done. Summing up-1) You want to compare yourself to them, good luck. 2) Treating people with civility is NOT AN ENDORSEMENT! https://t.co/jMTIZRnMYK

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) November 20, 2016