THANKFULLY, THE GIRL IS OK. >> WHEN CAPE CORAL GIVES YOU A CITATION IN ORDER TO EMBARRASS YOU, THEY BIG THEY PUT IT ON A BIG YELLOW SIGN THAT A STAPLE, THE CITATION TO THE I TAKE THEIR SIDELINE, PETE, THEM WHITE AND I USE THEM FOR NEW SIGNS. >> HIS ANTI TRUMP SIGNS ARE BEING TAKEN DOWN IN CAPE CORAL. HE SAYS THE CITY IS INTERFERING WITH HIS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS BUT THE CITY SAYS HE’S VIOLATING CODE RESTRICTIONS. ONLY GULF COAST NEWS REPORTED MALEAH GRAND PIER IS IN THE CAPE. SPEAKING TO THE HOMEOWNER ABOUT THIS CONTROVERSY. >> COMING DOWN CORNWALLIS PARKWAY HERE IN CAPE CORAL. IT’S PRETTY HARD TO MISS THIS HOME DECORATED WITH SIGNS AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP. NEIGHBORS SAY THEY CALLED CODE ENFORCEMENT TO HAVE SOME OF THEM REMOVED. AND SINCE THEN, NEW SIGNS GOT ADDED, THERE’S NOTHING MORE PATRIOTIC THAN >> MAKING A SIGN TO PROTEST INJUSTICE. THAT’S DAVID MORNING. WE FIRST TOLD YOU ABOUT THE SIGNS HE PLACED IN HIS YARD LAST WEEK ON CORNWALLIS PARKWAY. >> HE DOESN’T AGREE WITH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S POLICIES AND NEIGHBORS HAVE TAKEN NOTICE. I HAD GENTLEMAN WHOSE REPUBLICAN FULL OF THE OTHER AND HE SAID I DON’T AGREE WITH ANYTHING THAT YOU’RE SAYING ON YOUR SIDE’S, BUT I DO AGREE WITH YOUR RIGHT TO I SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY WITH MORE AFTER SOME NEIGHBORS CALLED CODE ENFORCEMENT. NOT JUST BOTHERED BY WHAT THE SCIENCE SAID BY WHERE THEY REPLACED. THE CITY SAYS SIGNS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON EASEMENT SINCE IT’S AGAINST THE RULES. >> WHEN CAPE CORAL GIVES YOU A CITATION IN ORDER TO EMBARRASS YOU, THEY BIG THEY PUT IT ON A BIG YELLOW SIGN THAT A STAPLE, THE CITATION TO THE SITE. I TAKE THEIR SIDELINE, PETE, THEM WHITE AND I USE THEM FOR NEW SIGNS. >> DESPITE THE $2000 IN CITATIONS HE’S RECEIVED FROM THE CITY. HE’S NOT BACKING DOWN. PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY. TELL ME TODAY YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY SHOULD BE ABOUT. >> TRYING TO UNIFY, REMEMBERING THAT AMERICANS WHILE NEIGHBORS APPRECIATE THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH. SOME ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHO MAY BE READING MORTON’S MESSAGES. >> EVERYONE’S OPEN TO THEIR OPINION, YOU KNOW, AND AS ADULTS ALL I CAN DO AS A PARENT, IT JUST. EXPLAIN IT IF THEY ASK AND ALSO THE CODED DESPITE DIFFERING OPINIONS. MORTON IS SENDING THIS MESSAGE. I HOPE THEY TAKE IT FURTHER. >> I HOPE THAT THEY DON’T BACK DOWN. I HOPE THEY TAKE IT FURTHER. >> AND I WANT MY DAY IN COURT. >> THE CITY TELLS ME THEY’LL BE ABLE TO REVIEW TH
Cape Coral homeowner looking to challenge fines over anti-Trump signs
A Cape Coral homeowner says he plans to dispute his $2,000 in fines for anti-Trump signs placed on an easement, as neighbors express mixed opinions.
Updated: 7:11 PM EDT May 25, 2026
A Cape Coral homeowner is looking to challenge his $2,000 in fines after neighbors reported his signs against President Trump for being placed on an easement, sparking mixed reactions in the community. David Morton, the homeowner, said the city issued citations after neighbors complained not just about what the signs said, but where they were placed.”When Cape Coral gives you a citation in order to embarrass you, they put it on a big yellow sign, and they staple the citation to the sign. I take their sign and I paint them white, and I use them for new signs,” Morton said. Morton defended his actions, calling his signs a form of protest. “There’s nothing more patriotic than making a sign to protest an injustice,” he said. He also criticized the enforcement process, claiming no measurements were taken of the easement before the signs were removed. “I hope that they don’t back down. I hope they take it further,” Morton said. “I want my day in court.” Neighbors have voiced differing opinions on the matter. Lynne Cardaci, who lives nearby, said the signs have gone too far. “There’s a bus out there and you’re having to explain what a pedophile is and what a rapist is, that’s it going too far,” Cardaci said. Another neighbor, Ivan Vargas, shared his perspective as a parent. “I got kids as well. Everyone’s open to their opinion, you know, and as adults, all I could do as a parent is just explain it, if they ask and don’t sugarcoat it,” Vargas said. The city of Cape Coral says they can review Morton’s case tomorrow.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
A Cape Coral homeowner is looking to challenge his $2,000 in fines after neighbors reported his signs against President Trump for being placed on an easement, sparking mixed reactions in the community.
David Morton, the homeowner, said the city issued citations after neighbors complained not just about what the signs said, but where they were placed.
“When Cape Coral gives you a citation in order to embarrass you, they put it on a big yellow sign, and they staple the citation to the sign. I take their sign and I paint them white, and I use them for new signs,” Morton said.
Morton defended his actions, calling his signs a form of protest.
“There’s nothing more patriotic than making a sign to protest an injustice,” he said.
He also criticized the enforcement process, claiming no measurements were taken of the easement before the signs were removed.
“I hope that they don’t back down. I hope they take it further,” Morton said. “I want my day in court.”
Neighbors have voiced differing opinions on the matter. Lynne Cardaci, who lives nearby, said the signs have gone too far.
“There’s a bus out there and you’re having to explain what a pedophile is and what a rapist is, that’s it going too far,” Cardaci said.
Another neighbor, Ivan Vargas, shared his perspective as a parent.
“I got kids as well. Everyone’s open to their opinion, you know, and as adults, all I could do as a parent is just explain it, if they ask and don’t sugarcoat it,” Vargas said.
The city of Cape Coral says they can review Morton’s case tomorrow.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.