Democratic activists in the Town of Fountain Hills objected to a Christmas tree decorated with Trump 2024 flags put up by the Republican Party in the town’s community center. The town refused to take the tree down, citing the First Amendment, so in protest, the Fountain Hills Democratic Club (FHDC) put up their own “inappropriate” replacement, a severed mask of Donald Trump’s head inside a wreath.
Fountain Hills Councilman Allen Skillicorn provided a statement to The Arizona Sun Times. “While I defend the Fountain Hills Democratic Club’s free speech, I am shocked by the inappropriate and out of touch behavior by FH Dem Club members,” he said. “The Grinch appears to reside in their hearts. The people of Arizona and Fountain Hills have rejected their sex toy ideology and devotion to confusing children. I defend their right to not believe in Christianity and the Holiday of Christ’s birth, but does that mean they should mock the faith of others? I invite the FH Dems to enjoy some eggnog and twinkly lights, but leave the Bah Humbug at home, behind closed doors.”
The Fountain Hills Community Center invited civic groups to put up Christmas trees a few weeks ago. According to Skillicorn, “An animal rescue has a rescue theme, the Maricopa Sheriff’s Department has a tree with sheriff badges, the Town’s Public Works Staff has a tree with hard hats, and the Fountain Hills Republican Club has Trump flags celebrating the 45th & 47th President of the U.S.A. on their tree.”
The FHDC discussed their activity in their public Facebook group. A post on December 12 contained several photos of a mask of Trump’s severed head within a wreath. The post said the head was only on display for a few hours, then taken down due to the offense it caused. An admin posted, “We have removed the offensive mask out of respect for all Democrats. A statement was made, if only for a few hours.” There were several statements written on Trump’s “face” in pen, such as “37 felonies,” “sexual assault,” and “Conspiracy to steal the 2020 election.”
Tania Brown, a group member who reportedly complained to the town about the Republicans’ tree, was unhappy with the response. “Please tell me y’all didn’t??” she said in a comment after the post. “How does this truly serve the community at Christmas? How do you feel guests from all over the world are going to feel? How does this represent the Fountain Hills Democratic Club? Is this what you want to be known for? I’m saddened by the response y’all chose. I feel it’s in very poor taste and now you’ve matched them. Please be better and do better. PS. The wreath was absolutely beautiful! I was so proud of y’all. Not so much anymore.”
Another member, Tena Warshaw, responded to her, “[N]ormally I would agree with you, but frankly I’m tired of taking the high road. I think it’s time to fight fire with fire.” Shari James, whose profile was marked as an admin, said to Brown, “It disturbs me that you are disappointed.”
Several other members disagreed, leaving comments critical of the display. Barbara Sudderth said, “I’m disappointed to see this. This type of display doesn’t represent everyone’s views in the FH Democratic Club. … Those values don’t represent me and I’m not interested in belonging to a community organization that demonstrates that they hold and uplift those values.”
Brown appears to have left the group since her profile says “former member of Fountain Hills Democratic Club.”
Skillicorn provided screenshots of two posts by members suggesting inappropriate trees. The posts appear to have since been deleted. Dianne Price said, “Since they say they cannot limit freedom of expression, I say next year we decorate a tree with sex toys.”
Jennifer Ferrell Heim, who is the director of early childhood education at Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, responded to Price, “Who wants to do these trees with me next year? Drag queen tree LGBTQ tree Trans tree Banned books tree All Families matter tree. … I’ll keep thinking of more!”
Ashley Earle, whose mother-in-law Gayle Earle, won election to the town council in July, posted photos on X of the Trump tree. The younger Earle is a board member of the Fountain Hills Republican Club and chaired the Christmas tree decorating contest at the community center for the club.
She told The Sun Times, “The Fountain Hills Democrat Club displayed a wreath of a severed head mask of President Trump, with inappropriate profanity and handwritten statements on the severed head. How terrible it is that anyone would defame ANY President this way… doesn’t seem to be too American! I personally feel the ‘Trump Tree’ brings joy to so many of us that are excited for the positive changes that President Trump is going to bring to our beautiful Country and the world for that matter. The GOP is extremely excited about President Trump back in the White House in January, this is definitely something to be grateful for and celebrate this Christmas!”
https://t.co/GhXXKhjZe4https://t.co/JHLGQ56HQi@allenskillicorn pic.twitter.com/kqYqpqvbbG
— Ashley Earle ™ 🇺🇸 (@AshleyEarle76) December 16, 2024
The town, which leans heavily Republican, finally ousted its leftist mayor, Ginny Dickey, this fall. Conservative Gerry Friedel defeated her despite former Sheriff Joe Arpaio running and splitting the conservative vote. Conservatives gained a strong 6-1 majority on the town council, with only incumbent leftist Peggy McMahon remaining, having defeated her opponent by just seven votes.
– – –
Rachel Alexander is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Rachel on Twitter / X. Email tips to [email protected].
