Man arrested after punching Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost at Sundance Film Festival event, police say

ORLANDO, Fla. – A 28-year-old man was arrested after punching Rep. Maxwell Frost – who represents Florida’s 10th Congressional District – during a private Sundance Film Festival event, according to police in Park City, Utah.

Frost said in a social media post that the man told him that President Donald Trump “was going to deport” him moments before the attack. The congressman said the man fled while “screaming racist remarks” but was later arrested.

According to a Summit County, Utah probable cause affidavit, officers were dispatched to High West Distillery on Saturday morning just after midnight after security staff detained a man – later identified as 28-year-old Christian Joel Young. Security told police the event was invitation‑only and that Young had been denied entry earlier in the night. Staff said he was later seen jumping a security fence, fleeing when confronted, and ultimately re‑entering the venue by unknown means.

Police said that Rep. Frost told them that Young approached him and a friend, made “weird” race‑related comments, and pulled both men close as if hugging them around their necks. When they tried to step away, Young allegedly tightened his grip and said, “We are going to deport you and your kind.” The congressman said he and his friend pushed Young off them before Young shouted a racial slur, punched him in the face, and ran into the crowd.

According to the affidavit, a second victim told police she was standing near the bar when Young approached and began making inappropriate and racially charged comments. When she stopped engaging, Young allegedly grabbed her by the shoulders, shoved her against the bar, and yelled, “You are the kind we are going to deport. Your being deported,” before trying to push past her.

Police said a male patron intervened, restraining Young until security arrived and removed him from the bar.

When questioned by police, Young initially claimed he did not remember what happened and said he did not know his own name. Officers noted he responded when addressed as “Young,” suggesting he was being evasive rather than impaired. Bar staff told police he had been served only two drinks before being cut off for erratic behavior.

According to the affidavit, Young was found carrying a Sundance Film Festival administrative access pass that was not issued to him. Police said it posed a potential security risk and returned it to festival administrators. Young told officers he did not know what the pass was.

Police said Young was arrested and taken to the Summit County jail where he faces charges of assaulting a government official and simple assault, both of which will be screened for hate‑crime enhancements. He also faces an aggravated burglary charge for unlawfully entering the venue and causing injury during the commission of a crime.

Frost said he was not seriously injured. He thanked venue security and the Park City Police Department for their response.

The 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which bills itself as the “ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives,” is being held Jan. 22–Feb. 1 in Park City, Utah.

News 6 has reached out to Rep. Frost’s office for more information.