UPDATE:
Flamboyant billionaire Donald Trump recently installed an 80′ flagpole at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach property, and hoisted a huge 15′ x 25′ American flag that has Palm Beach officials in a dither. The problem with Trump’s flagpole is that according to local building code, it exceeds the allowable height by 38′.
One town official, Lee Hanley, was lamenting his perception that Trump’s big American flag is more an eyesore befitting the common folk on the mainland than a landmark for the wealthy island when he commented that it looks like “we have an Okeechobee car dealer.” No doubt, Hanley is expressing the consensus opinion of the town council and a good percentage of residents as well.
But Hanley should be careful about speaking too loudly. As I pointed out in my 10/5 post, “Donald Trump Raises American Flag, Takes Down Town Council,” Trump has been through this very same fight before and has not only chosen this battle, but has purposely instigated it. Why? My guess, keeping in mind that Donald Trump has nearly mastered the art of self-promotion, is that he is framing himself as a true American patriot in anticipation of future political office.
In any case, Trump is in the process of creating popular support with statements directed at a national audience: “You don’t need a permit to put up the American flag. The day you need a permit to put up the American flag, that will be a sad day for this country.” What elected official is going to take a public stand against that sentiment? Only those who are already deeply entrenched in the hate-America camp.
And as far as the local issue is concerned, he has drawn a line in the sand and is now warning Palm Beach officials to cross it at their peril saying, “Anyone who objects should not, in my opinion, hold a public office of any kind  at least not in this country.” Regardless of whether they force him to take it down or allow the flag to stay, Trump has already won, and the longer they keep the debate going the bigger the win.