Mad Dog PAC, the group behind a controversial billboard in South Florida comparing Donald Trump to Fidel Castro, says this is just one of many signs planned to highlight the former president’s flaws. Founder Claude Taylor stated their mission is to “beat Donald Trump by exposing the truth about him” through provocative billboards in key battleground states.
The Miami billboard, located near Northwest 67th Avenue and the Palmetto Expressway, has elicited mixed reactions. While some residents found it disrespectful, others were amused. Taylor insists the PAC aims to provoke thought and humor, with billboards ranging from a playful “cheats at golf” near Mar-a-Lago to a blunt “convicted felon” on I-75.
Mad Dog PAC’s strategy includes deploying these signs in Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and the crucial states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Taylor, who gained social media fame during Trump’s first presidential campaign, claims their billboards are designed to spark conversations.
Among their most notable signs is one featuring actor Mark Hamill, reading, “The force is strong with Biden,” and another referencing the overturned Roe v. Wade decision with “Roe roe roe your vote.”
Despite the humor, Taylor stands by the serious comparison made on the Miami billboard. He argues that Trump harbors aspirations of dictatorship similar to Castro’s, a view stemming from his experiences in Cuba and Florida. Taylor asserts that Trump, if given the chance, would be as oppressive as Castro was.
Trump’s Hispanic Communications Director, Jaime Florez, dismissed the billboard as a sign of desperation from President Biden’s campaign and the Democratic Party, claiming they have failed to win over Hispanic voters.
Since January, Mad Dog PAC has erected 15 to 20 new billboards in Florida, with the Miami sign being their first in Spanish and their first in South Florida. Taylor indicates more are on the way, emphasizing Florida’s unique significance due to its association with Trump.
Mad Dog PAC claims its funding comes from ordinary people, not wealthy donors or special interest groups, underscoring their grassroots approach to political activism.
Latino Sergeant Attacked on Jan. 6 ‘Sick’ Over Republicans Welcoming Trump at Capitol
Aquilino Gonell, a former Capitol Police officer who was nearly crushed during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, is deeply disturbed by Republicans welcoming Donald Trump back to the Capitol. Gonell, an Iraq War veteran and Dominican American, still carries shards from the tunnel entrance of the Capitol where he was attacked, serving as a stark reminder of that violent day.
In an interview with MSNBC’s “The ReidOut,” Gonell expressed his frustration that House Speaker Mike Johnson hosted Trump, who incited the mob that nearly killed him and other officers. Gonell, who retired in December 2022 due to his injuries, emphasized that Republicans owe their safety to the actions of law enforcement on Jan. 6, not to Trump.
Trump’s recent visit to the Capitol on June 13 was met with applause, even from lawmakers who had previously condemned him. This reunion, which included an early birthday celebration for Trump, disregarded the violence and deaths from the Capitol attack. Gonell and his fellow officers felt “sick” seeing senators welcome Trump, likening it to an “abusive relationship.”
Gonell, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in the Dominican Republic, testified in 2021 before the House committee investigating the attack. He recounted the harrowing moments when he was nearly crushed by rioters, fearing for his life. In his memoir, “American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy,” Gonell contrasts his dedication to the U.S. with the events of Jan. 6, highlighting his journey from a poor household to a Capitol Police sergeant.
Gonell’s pinned post on X (formerly Twitter) features photos documenting the attack on him. In his MSNBC interview, he expressed dismay that the party that sent him to fight for democracy in Iraq now supports someone with authoritarian aspirations. “That should be striking and you should fear that because nothing good will come out of that,” Gonell warned.
