Fountain Hills Democrats were so outraged over the inclusion of a Christmas tree decorated with Trump 2024 flags at a community center that they put a severed head resembling President-elect Donald Trump on display.
The Fountain Hills Democratic Club posted a picture of their handiwork to their public Facebook group on Friday, a response to the town of Fountain Hill’s defense of a local Republican group’s Christmas tree as protected speech. Their action caused enough division among fellow Democrats that they removed of the head after several hours. The online group has just over 700 members.
“The Republican Club put up a Trump tree and they are allowed because of the First Amendment,” said the Fountain Hills Democratic Club. “Well, Democrats have those same rights, so we added some free speech to our Wreath. UPDATE: We have removed this from the wreath. It was on display for only a few hours.”
The Trump likeness had a handful of allegations written in black and red across the face: “fraud,” “sexual assault,” “defamation,” “37 felonies,” and “obstruction of justice,” to name a few.
Sherri James, club leader for civic engagement, defended the display in a comment. James said that Republicans ought to be pleased because the Trump likeness suited them when worn as a mask around other holidays.
“FH Republicans actually like this mask. Look at their entry in the Thanksgiving Day parade,” said James. “It really displayed all the good feelings of Thanksgiving, right?”
Prior to the appearance of the Trump head, Fountain Hills Democrats said they planned to decorate a Christmas tree with sex toys and LGBTQ+ paraphernalia next year.
Fountain Hills Democratic Club Precinct Committee member for Saguaro, Dianne Price, suggested on the club’s Facebook group that the Democrats band together and decorate Christmas trees with lewd objects in 2025.
“I say next year we decorate a tree with sex toys,” said Price.
Jennifer Ferrell Heim, director of early childhood education at Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, suggested Democrats go beyond sex toys for decorations with “inclusive trees” of all kinds: sexualities, transgenderism, explicit books, and multiculturalism.
“Who wants to do these trees with me next year? Drag queen tree, LGBTQ tree, trans tree, banned books tree, All Families matter tree,” said Ferrell Heim.
Fountain Hills Democrats are up to no good again. They want to groom children and desecrate the Ftn Hills Community Ctr with sex toys, LGBQTIA, Trans Christmas trees.
Democrats are too extreme for our children. pic.twitter.com/FENNNwvMPf
— Libby Settle (@settledown4) December 12, 2024
The offending tree was contributed by the Fountain Hills Republican Club to the Fountain Hills Community Center. Although Democrats attempted to get the town to remove the pro-Trump tree, the town said such an action would be unconstitutional. In response to complaints, the town said that the tree was protected by freedom of expression.
“The Supreme Court ruling referenced pertains to freedom of expression (content) in public spaces, which includes displays within public buildings,” stated the town response. “The ruling protects individuals’ rights to express diverse viewpoints, provided such displays do not violate laws or policies governing public spaces. While the specific context of the ruling applies broadly to signage, the principle extends to displays such as those in our Community Center and has been stated in many prior Court decisions.”
The town clarified to the Democrats filing their complaints that this would be their final correspondence on the matter.
“We remain committed to ensuring the Community Center is a welcoming space for all, and the current policy supports the inclusion of diverse viewpoints, reflecting the freedom of expression foundational to our community values,” said the town response. “While not every display will resonate with every individual, this approach ensures fairness and equal opportunity for all voices.”
The Democrat who filed the complaint, Tania Brown, said the slogan on the Trump flags, “Take America Back,” were subtle threats to bring back the past evils of American history.
“My brain takes me immediately to violence, the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Suffrage, Klu Klux Klan, misogyny, and worst of all in current times, the Insurrection,” said Brown. “Trump flags flying all over the place that day while violence was incited, people were seriously hurt, and people died. That’s the last thing I want to be thinking about when going to visit a ‘Christmas’ art exhibition.”
However, Brown was shocked to learn of what the club had done in response, matching the sentiments of a select few other local Democrats.
“Please tell me y’all didn’t?? 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?” said Brown. “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.”
Councilmember Peggy McMahon runs communications for the Fountain Hills Democratic Club.
The Democratic Party platform for 2024, which the Fountain Hills Democratic Club supports, calls for the enforcement of gender ideology-led policy in schools, such as using gender identity to determine bathroom usage, and protections for gender modification for minors (referenced as “gender-affirming care).
