Standing some 30 feet high, an official Trump campaign poster is being joined by a customized painting depicting President Trump as an American flag sunglasses wearing patriot. The sign and painting are visible on Roxbury Street SW near White Center. Note one of his pitbulls peering out from above the portrait.
Photo by Patrick Robinson
If it were any other time, political statements might just be passed off as one side versus another. But recent events have made the political divisions in America more stark, the divide wider, and the emotions more extreme.
Amid a time of marches for racial equity, justice and an end to police brutality one man, Tony (last name withheld by request) has taken his existing official Trump for President campaign sign to the next level. As an illustrator and artist he's done many portraits, but never one like this. He's adding an 8 foot by 8 foot painting of Trump to his 30 foot tall display. The painting depicts the President as an American flag sunglasses wearing patriot, his fist prominently held in defiance. when finished the painting will show Trump in a blue suit, red tie, and with bright gold metallic hair.
The entire display is easily visible from below on a hill above Roxbury Street SW near White Center where the sign portion has stood for the last 3 years. "A friend of mine, who is not a Trump supporter, helped me build it," Tony said.
Tony continued, "Some people love it, some people hate it. I've had bottles and paint, eggs and rocks thrown at it and at one point I even heard two guys saying they should burn it down."
Since then he's installed several layers of security around the sign and his house.
He's also tangled a little with the county who told him to take it down but according to Tony they let him keep it since he said, "I threatened to paint my entire house red white and blue and put Trump on my roof so it's visible from the air. Since then I haven't heard from them."
Why do it? "I voted for him for two reasons. I liked his sense of humor and his directness on the Apprentice (the NBC show from a few years ago). But I've followed him since the 80's because he was a successful guy. But they also had him on there because he had charisma and he had interesting things to say. Since he was elected he made the economy kick ass, he's made China standup and take notice. I think tariffs are an incredible way to get somebody to do what you want them to do eventually. It seems to me as if he's able to ruffle people's feathers and stir the pot. It throws people off. That's how he was able to go through all those very talented politicians in the debates. They had to sink to his level and it wasn't his level at all.. it was a pretend level he made them go to. I thought he could do a great job. I think by the time he's finished, the next four years it will be looked at as the most successful presidency ever with several blemishes, just like most presidents. But I think it's going to take the full 8 years for everyone to realize."
At the same time Tony is in agreement with the Black Lives Matter movement and agrees that the death of George Floyd was brutal and wrong. He sees no conflict in his support for President Trump and the goals of ending racism.
He just likes what he sees in Trump. "I think he's got balls of steel and he's cut from the same cloth as the great war time presidents of the past."
Finally we have someone in Seattle that has balls. A Real American.