‘Trump Car’ owner refuses to settle with town that ordered him to take down flags
A man from Long Island is refusing to accept a legal settlement after city officials ordered him to remove pro-Trump flags from his vehicles.
Michael Wasserman has become well-known in Long Beach for his collection of “Trump cars,” including a Porsche Carrera, Jeep Wrangler, and humvee, all decorated with flags and signs supporting President Trump and criticizing President Biden and Vice President Harris. Some of the flags included explicit messages, such as one that read “F–k Joe Biden,” while others displayed “Trump 2024.”
In 2021, city authorities directed Wasserman to take down the signage, citing a city ordinance that prohibited such displays within city limits. Wasserman, 62, argued that the order infringed on his First Amendment rights and filed a $25 million lawsuit in Brooklyn Federal Court against the City of Long Beach, the police chief, the city manager, and certain police officers.
On February 17, the Long Beach City Council voted to settle the case for $50,000. Wasserman, however, rejected the offer, telling The Post that he intends to hold out for at least $100,000, which he plans to donate to charity.
“This is about principle, not money,” Wasserman said. “I don’t tell anyone how to live their life, so don’t tell me what I can and cannot do if I’m following the law.” He added that police officers had visited his home repeatedly over the years following complaints from neighbors.
Wasserman also said he faced harassment from other residents because of his political views. “They slashed my tires, broke my windshield and windows of my cars,” he claimed. The Long Beach Police Department did not immediately respond to requests to confirm these incidents. Wasserman noted, however, that some neighbors privately expressed support for his displays, praising his courage.
Despite the attention, Wasserman admitted that much of the past several years had been consumed by legal battles. “It’s been a total waste of time and aggravation. The only enjoyment I got was annoying these people,” he said.
The Long Beach City Council did not immediately comment on the situation.
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