An Indiana man has apologized for creating a parade float depicting Donald Trump pulling the switch on Hillary Clinton as she sits in an electric chair.
The float also featured an Easter Island head painted black with a sign identifying it as President Obama.
Frank Linkmeyer, who created the float for its debut at the Auroras Farmer’s Fair in Aurora, Ind., on Monday, told local TV station WCPO that he didn’t mean to offend anyone.
“Police officers, judges, nurses, doctors, heart transplant patients — just a variety of things and the people in Aurora and the surrounding area love to see us in the parade,” Linkmeyer said in explaining that he and his brother have made fun of various people in the parade for years prior.
The town’s Lions Club, which organizes the parade, released a statement saying it “regretted” Linkmeyer’s float.
“The parade is a public venue which does not reflect the views of the Aurora Lions Club,” the organization wrote on its website. “As a member of a worldwide service organization, we are proud and stand by our record of service to this community. We appreciate the high levels of support and esteem given to us by our citizens. We will continue to do our best to live up to their standards. We hope the political circus of this year’s election stays with the national media.”
As for Linkmeyer, he said that Trump could have been in the electric chair instead, before offering a half-hearted apology.
“It’s all in fun,” he said. “Laughter is the best medicine in life and this country needs more laughter — and the people that are offended by it, I’m sorry. Don’t come to the parade next time.”
