Two brothers in rural Michigan have racked up thousands in fines after erecting their own “Trump Tower” by hanging a banner on an old mine smokestack on their private property. 

Dan, age 60, and Francis Rittenhouse, 73, hung a massive pro-Trump banner from their privately owned smokestack in Iron Mountain, Michigan earlier this month, sparking a wave of backlash and fines from local officials. It reads “TRUMP” in vertical letters with the word “Tower” underneath. 

According to local ordinances, the sign is considered a banner larger than 900 square feet, which means it can only be hung temporarily and the brothers need a permit. Failing to obtain a permit is a civil infraction, which brings fines. 

Local officials sent a first-offense notice to the brothers one week after the sign went up, on Oct. 18. Under local regulations, the first offense comes with a $100 fine, the second a $300 fine and a $500 fine for every day after.

According to estimates, the Rittenhouse brothers have racked up more than $3,000 in fines over the sign. 

Despite objections from local officials, the Rittenhouse brothers plan to keep up the sign, arguing it is protected under the First Amendment. 

Rittenhouse supporters came out to support the sign last week during a city council meeting. Supporters said the sign was a work of art, and should therefore be protected under the First Amendment.

Other residents said that because the Rittenhouses own the structure, they should be allowed to do what they please with it.

However, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said the reason behind the fines is not the content of the sign but its size and location within a residential district. Other residents agreed, saying that the sign was defacing a historical monument. 

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.