Wayland Teen Still Defends Family's Huge, Purple Trump Sign

WAYLAND, MA—Since March 19, long before Donald Trump was named the Republicans' presidential nominee, the Antico family in Wayland has sported a 14x28 foot purple sign that reads "Trump" in its front lawn. It took the family nine hours to build it. It's out there 24-7, is lit by six lights at night, and has three cameras pointed at it.

Many Wayland residents criticized it, prompting Wayland High then-sophomore Addison Antico to defend the sign, and his family's show of support, to the Wayland Student Press Network. He commented to WSPN, "Having this sign makes me thank our Founding Fathers for creating the First Amendment," adding that, “I don’t support Bernie; [that] doesn’t mean I’ll destroy [one of their signs].”

At the time, a Wayland resident filed a complaint to have it removed, but the building commissioner deemed it OK to leave it up.

In March, Trump gave a shout out to the Antico family, Tweeting,"This might be the largest residential campaign sign of 2016!"

The sign still sits on the lawn, now an indicator that the family is behind Trump in his run against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in perhaps the most volatile election campaign this generation has seen.

Addison, 16, and now a junior at Wayland High School, still defends the sign, and choice, but says more conflict is at school these days.

"I feel when we first up the sign that was the talk of the town," Addison told Patch, "but now I feel as if I have a duty to stand up for trump in Wayland High School. I take a class called Government, and in this class we talk a lot about politics, but more of Trump than Hillary. We don't talk about the sign as much. But in this class it is me versus everyone else. I feel as if I need to back up my candidate because they only pick out the bad in him and not the good. They all mention good things about Hillary. Hillary is never brought up unless I start talking about her. A lot of friends either support me or leave no comment. Others will act strong on social media but won't confront me in person. "

Addison has two older brothers, and one older sister. He said his whole family supports Trump, but does not follow politics the way he and his father, his "Nonno," do. He and his dad, he says, always talk politics together.

"The number one reason why I support Trump is because he is real to me," said Addison. "He's speaking for me. He's tired of the corrupt politicians who are all talk and no action. He isn't politically correct. He's experienced the very bad in life, but came out winning. Most people will lose and walk away, but Trump did lose, but he fought back harder and didn't give up. The second reason is the economy. Trump knows how to grow the economy. He knows what works and what doesn't work. He's been in business his whole life. I truly see the frustration in this guy's heart. He's sick and tired of this country be ripped off and he wants to fix it. I truly believe Trump can fix it."

Photo courtesy Addison Antico