Trump's Florida Flag Flap
Cue the double entendres: Donald Trump's flagpole is just too big.
The real estate mogul has been cited by Palm Beach officials for five separate violations in connection with his insistence on flying an excessively large American flag atop an excessively large staff at his Mar-a-Lago compound.
The town cited the Apprentice star for ignoring zoning codes by installing a flagpole taller than 42 feet (Trump's is 80), violating setback requirements, not obtaining a building permit for the flag-waving apparatus, not getting permission from the landmarks board to approve the patriotic behemoth and for violating his Mar-a-Lago Club's declaration-of-use agreement with the town.
The litany of offenses was included in a certified letter to Trump, several town officials and the club's managing director on Oct. 27.
Trump responded to the claims Tuesday with trademark restraint.
"You don't need a permit to put up the American flag," he said. "The day you need a permit to put up the American flag, that will be a sad day for this country...And I thought I was doing the town a favor!"
Last week, the town's landmarks commission vice chairman, Lee Hanley, called the flag—which, at 375 square feet is the same size as the one that flies over the White House—a mockery and referred to Mar-a-Lago as resembling a "car dealer."
Trump naturally barked back, writing a letter claiming that anyone who objected to his flag waving "should not, in my opinion, hold a public office of any kind—at least not in this country."
Personal opinion aside, Trump was given until Nov. 27 to begin the process of applying for retroactive approvals of his flagpole, or else be forced to attend a Dec. 21 code-enforcement hearing that could result in fines of $250 per day, per violation.
While the citations are only in connection with the oversize pole, the flag itself exceeds city restrictions, though officials say they are not pursuing that issue at this time.
The beachfront battle royale kicked off on Oct. 3, when Trump had the flagpole erected on the property of his exclusive club.
The Big Picture
Moon Landing A world-weary Rob and Kristen arrive in LAX after touring the globe to promote their hit movie
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (915)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (645)
- Blab Blab Blab: Is Twilight Sexist? (553)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (444)
- Is Ugly Betty Ending? And Who Gets the Girl? (426)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (425)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (422)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (353)
Top 10 Stories
- Rihanna Sings Threesome, Avoids Going Naked on GMA
- Michael Lohan Runs Out of Family Members to Alienate, Starts Leaking Jon Gosselin Tapes
- It's a Sexy Job, but Adam Lambert's Gotta Do It!
- Donny Discovers Parts He Never Had Before for Dancing With the Stars Finale
- End of a Weird Era: Jon & Kate Plus 8 Signs Off
- Timbaland Denies Dumping Chris Brown
- New Sweet Home for Khloé and Lamar
- Family Wants Second Autopsy for Real Housewife Kandi Burruss' Slain Fiancé
- Sarah Jessica Parker Surrogate's Alleged Invader Found Somewhat Guilty
- No, New Moon Absolutely, Positively Didn't Beat Dark Knight
Fashion Police
Bring On the DramaLeave it to fearless fashionista Rihanna to make the fiercest statement on the AMAs red carpet
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
0 Comments
Now loading...