A Long Island man is defiantly refusing to accept a legal settlement after local officials ordered him to remove pro-Trump flags from his cars.
Michael Wasserman has become something of a celebrity in Long Beach for his “Trump cars” — a Porsche Carrera and Jeep Wrangler and humvee — emblazoned with pro-Trump and anti-Biden and Harris signage and flags, some with explicit language.
“F–k Joe Biden,” read one flag, while others read “Trump 2024.”
In 2021, officials ordered Wasserman to alleging he violated a city ordinance barring displays being erected “within the perimeter of the city.”
But Wasserman, 62, claimed the order violated his First Amendment rights and sued the City of Long Beach, the chief of police, the city manager and specific police officers in Brooklyn Federal Court for $25 million.
The Long Beach City Council voted Feb. 17 to settle with Wasserman to the tune of $50,000 — but the entrepreneur told The Post he wants more.
“The judge said 50 grand is reasonable, I said, ‘That’s crap,’” he told The Post.
Wasserman, a former Democrat who switched parties in 2004, told The Post he’s holding out for at least $100,000, which he plans to give to charity.
The lawsuit is about principle — not money, he said.
“This was always about what I’m allowed to do within the confines of the law, I don’t tell you how to live your f–king life… don’t tell me what I can and cannot do if I’m not violating the law,” he said.
Wasserman said police officers visited his home too many times to count, citing complaints from neighbors
Wasserman claimed his politics resulted in harassment from other residents.
“They slashed my tires, broke my windshield and windows of my cars” over the years, he claimed. The Long Beach Police Department did not immediately confirm Wasserman’s allegations.
But other neighbors have privately thanked him for having the “guts” to display the flags, Wasserman said.
Still, Wasserman admitted he spent the past several years battling the courts in what he called “a f–king waste of time aggravation.”
“The only enjoyment I got was pissing these people off.”
The Long Beach City Council did not immediately return a request for comment.
