Michigan brothers fined $3,000 for 80-foot ‘Trump Tower’ banner

A landowner faces a huge fine after erecting an 80ft ‘Trump Tower’ banner on his land, sparking a row between locals and his council.

Dan Rittenhouse, 60, and his brother Francis, 73, hung the 12-foot-wide sign on their fireplace in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

But the council claims the brothers’ “creative project” violates a local sign ordinance that says signs larger than 900 square feet require a permit.

This sparked a heated town meeting, where more than 100 people showed up in support of Dan and Francis, local reports said.

Reports say that based on the fine structure, the first day violation is $100, the second day is $300, and each day after that is $500.

It is estimated that Francis and Dan have accumulated fines worth more than $3,000.

Despite the fines, Dan and Francis are determined to keep the sign up to “protect” their First Amendment right and freedom of speech.

Dan, a retired businessman and consultant from Howell, Michigan, said, “I can’t believe America is so divided that people have to be so hateful.

“When we started presenting this, we didn’t realize there would be so many people supporting it.

“We just thought it was our property and we wanted to show our support for Trump.

“Originally people saw the tower and were excited about it.

“My family is very sad that this country is so divided.

“I don’t know where the country is going but I don’t like it.”

Dan and his brother raised the red and white banner on October 9.

Dan said: “At first we talked about the fact that we have a big structure – it’s the tallest in the city and we pay taxes on it.

“We thought it was a great tower and it would be cool if we called it Trump Tower.

“It didn’t start out being political, it was creative: we are fans of Donald Trump.

“We just wanted to celebrate Donald Trump.”

In the days that followed, people stopped to take pictures and word spread.

One resident, Angela Hall, 45, said: “I was excited when I saw Trump Tower; I thought he was very smart.

“I thought it was a good way to use structure, to use your First Amendment right to show who you support for president.”

Dan then learned that the local mayor was unhappy with the banner and the first fine was issued to Francis on October 18, 2024.

On October 21, more than 100 people attended a council meeting in support of Dan and Francis.

Dan said: “We don’t know when the fines started or if they ever started.

“We are in the process of requesting a review on this matter, we will litigate and protect our rights under the First Amendment.

“We didn’t know we needed a permit to do this on our own property.”