A long line of Villagers for Trump members roared into Lake Sumter Landing during a golf cart rally on Friday afternoon – and quickly encountered a Biden backer who had a message for them.
“The president is a filthy pig!” shouted Ed McGinty, of the Village of Hadley, who was sporting a T-shirt backing Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. Several Trump supporters slowed or stopped to argue with McGinty, with one shouting, “You’re a (expletive deleted) idiot!” before hitting the gas pedal and speeding away.
Others slowed to offer their opinions to McGinty, but he maintained his message for everyone who would listen. Several smiled and shook their heads as they drove away from him. And others just ignored him as they honked their horns and shouted support for the president.
“I kept hollering at them, ‘Lady, how could you vote for a filthy pig,’” McGinty said, referring to a past instance where Trump was caught on tape having a lewd conversation about women with television personality Billy Bush. “What kind of morality is that?”
Most of the participants in the golf cart parade appeared to be unfazed by McGinty or his signs that read “Trump Worlds Biggest Liar,” “Putin/Trump Again 2020” and “Remove Trump.” They clearly found plenty of supporters around the square, with many giving them the thumbs-up sign or shouting out their support for the president, who is facing an impeachment trial.
Villagers for Trump, which boasts about 2,400 members and clearly has become the choice of area Republicans hoping to become active in GOP politics, is known for being quite active in the community by holding golf cart rallies and sign-waving events. Past events similar to the one held Friday have included:
- A “Stop the Witch Hunt” rally in December at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 27/441 and Avenida Central.
- A November sign-waving event at the intersection of Morse Boulevard and County Road 466 to show support for the president before the impeachment hearings got under way.
- A November event near Congressman Daniel Webster’s office at the government annex building on CR 466 to counter Democrats who were caravanning there on golf carts to express their disdain over his vote against impeaching the president.
- An August flag- and sign-waving event at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 27/441 that saw two kittens get rescued and aptly named Melania and Ivanka.
- A July sign-waving rally at the busy intersection of State Road 44 and U.S. 301 that drew plenty of long horn blasts from passing truckers heading to Interstate 75 or the Florida Turnpike.
- A June rally at the intersection of Morse Boulevard and CR 466 celebrating Flag Day and Trump’s birthday.
- An April freedom-over-socialism golf cart rally that featured a large contingent of horn-honking, flag-waving Trump supporters.
- A January golf cart rally carrying the message, “Build the Wall.”
- An October 2018 golf cart rally that saw the “Red Wave” roar to life in Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs Town Square.
- An August 2018 golf cart rally to show support for President Trump and then- gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis, attorney general hopeful Ashley Moody and Senate candidate Gov. Rick Scott.
- A March 2018 golf cart rally that featured a rowdy ride through Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
In addition, a large contingent of Villagers for Trump members were at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center when the president spoke there in October. Many attended a spirited debate about the impeachment last week at the Savannah Center. And a large group took part in a watch party at Gators Dockside in Brownwood or traveled to the event in June at the Amway Center in Orlando when Trump announced plans to run for re-election.
