Town officials voted 6-1 Thursday to fine Donald Trump $1,250 a day for flying a supersized American flag atop an 80-foot flagpole that violates several of the town’s codes and ordinances.

Retroactive to Jan. 6, the fines already add up to $16,250.

“They want me to pay a daily fee for the privilege to fly the American flag, or preferably, they want me to rip it down,” said Trump from his New York office.

A vexed Trump vowed: “I’m just not going to do it.”

Moments before the vote was taken by the seven-member Code Enforcement Board, Martin Fried urged his fellow board members to impose the maximum fines possible: $250 a day for each of five violations.

“I think Mr. Trump, the property owner, picked this fight. I think he’s been provocative,” Fried said.

He told the board and Trump’s attorney that The Donald “is something of a serial violator.”

“This is amazing to me,” said Trump, adding, “The flag is magnificent and everyone who sees the flag says that it is in magnificent proportion to Mar-A-Lago.”

Trump noted that his flag is the same dimension as the one that flies over the nation’s capitol and that Mar-A-Lago is “even bigger than the capitol.”

The flag flap began in September when Trump sent the town a letter notifying them that he would erect a flag at Mar-A-Lago. He hoisted Old Glory Oct. 3 on a flagpole designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes.

The 25-by-50 foot flag violates the town ordinance that allows for a flag 4-by-6 feet. The town passed on enforcing the flag ordinance but nailed Trump for having an 80-foot flagpole that violates the zoning code’s 42-foot maximum.

Last month, Trump filed a $25 million lawsuit against the town arguing in part that the ordinances violated his right to “free speech and expression.” The suit also argued that the town is selectively enforcing ordinances and is discriminating against Mar-A-Lago. It notes there are about 20 other flags and poles in town that also violate ordinances but have not been cited.

Trump said if he wins the lawsuit, he wants any money awarded to go to military members returning from Iraq.

During Thursday’s meeting, Trump attorney Raymond Royce told the board that Mar-A-Lago has “been singled out” for enforcement. He said the board’s imposition of the harshest penalty possible backed up the allegation in the lawsuit that accuses the town of treating Mar-A-Lago “more harshly than others in town.”

Royce said, “We object to this discriminatory treatment. It’s unconstitutional and it’s wrong.”

Board member Martin Klein told Royce, “Just as the town can’t employ selective enforcement, your client and the residents can’t pick and choose which law they will obey.”

Klein added, “It’s the town’s responsibility to determine safety and appropriateness.”

By phone, Trump scoffed: “This is about the Old Guard not getting its way.”

Sally Apgar can be reached at or 561-228-5506.