Cole Escola hasn’t forgotten about Nicole Scherzinger’s eyebrow-raising interest in a hat featuring a variation on President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, even if much of the Broadway community appears to have moved past it.

Cole Escola, who grew up in Clatskanie, earned cheers and applause as they accepted the Tony Award as best lead actor in a play during Sunday's telecast.

Cole Escola accepts the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play award for "Oh, Mary!" from Sarah Paulson and Jean Smart during The 78th Annual Tony Awards on June 08, 2025. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)