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[[File:Donald Trump Unity Bridge Trailer Float - Iowa City (36255657150).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|The "bridge" in Iowa City, August 2017]]
[[File:Donald Trump Unity Bridge Trailer Float - Iowa City (36255657150).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|The "bridge" in Iowa City, August 2017]]


The '''Trump Unity Bridge''', also known as the '''Presidential Trump Unity Bridge and Trump Mobile''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://t2conline.com/a-one-float-trump-parade-in-times-square/|title=A One Float Trump Parade in Times Square - Times Square Chronicles|website=t2conline.com}}</ref> is a decorated [[Float (parade)|float]] being driven by a [[Michigan]] resident throughout the United States in support of President [[Donald Trump]].<ref name="mlive">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2017/09/on_the_road_with_michigans_big.html|title=On the road with Michigan's biggest Trump supporter|website=MLive.com|accessdate=September 17, 2017|publisher=[[Advance Publications]]|date=September 14, 2017|first=Hunter|last=Dyke}}</ref><ref name="cbslocal">{{cite web|url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/video/3575831-robert-cortis-brings-the-30-foot-long-trump-unity-bridge-to-cbs-radio/|publisher=[[WWJ-TV]]|title=Robert Cortis Brings the 30-Foot Long Trump "Unity Bridge" to CBS Radio|accessdate=September 17, 2017|location=Detroit}}</ref> The float appeared at [[Inauguration of Donald Trump|Trump's inauguration]], the [[2017 Women's March]], and the [[Mother of All Rallies]].
The '''Trump Unity Bridge''', also known as the '''Presidential Trump Unity Bridge and Trump Mobile''',<ref name="t2c">{{cite news |last1=Bowling |first1=Suzanna |title=A One Float Trump Parade in Times Square |url=http://t2conline.com/a-one-float-trump-parade-in-times-square/ |accessdate=9 November 2020 |work=Times Square Chronicles |date=18 January 2017}}</ref> is a decorated [[Float (parade)|float]] being driven by a [[Michigan]] resident throughout the United States, supporting the 45th President, [[Donald Trump]].<ref name="mlive">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2017/09/on_the_road_with_michigans_big.html|title=On the road with Michigan's biggest Trump supporter|website=MLive.com|accessdate=September 17, 2017|publisher=[[Advance Publications]]|date=September 14, 2017|first=Hunter|last=Dyke}}</ref><ref name="cbslocal">{{cite web|url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/video/3575831-robert-cortis-brings-the-30-foot-long-trump-unity-bridge-to-cbs-radio/|publisher=[[WWJ-TV]]|title=Robert Cortis Brings the 30-Foot Long Trump "Unity Bridge" to CBS Radio|accessdate=September 17, 2017|location=Detroit}}</ref> The float appeared at [[First inauguration of Donald Trump|Trump's inauguration]], the [[2017 Women's March]], and the [[Mother of All Rallies]].


==Description==
==Description==
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[[File:WASHINGTON DC, SEPT 16 2017- The "Mother of All Rallies" event in support of Donald Trump draws a small group to the National Mall. (36455399003).jpg|thumb|right|The trailer with the [[Washington Monument]] in the background, September 2017]]
[[File:WASHINGTON DC, SEPT 16 2017- The "Mother of All Rallies" event in support of Donald Trump draws a small group to the National Mall. (36455399003).jpg|thumb|right|The trailer with the [[Washington Monument]] in the background, September 2017]]


The bridge is {{convert|50|feet}} long, over {{convert|13|feet}} tall, and weighs approximately {{convert|9000|lb}}. To make it road mobile, the bridge was attached to a legally registered [[motorcycle trailer]].<ref name=DetroitNews/> It features American flags, signage including six-foot-tall letters spelling "Trump", a carved wooden eagle, and a [[Replicas of the Statue of Liberty|replica]] of the [[Statue of Liberty]].<ref name=JournalStar>{{cite news|url=http://journalstar.com/news/local/trump-booster-rolls-his-unity-bridge-through-streets-of-lincoln/article_f03d9695-e8b3-5b78-b4d9-d43b49de50ec.html|title=Trump booster rolls his 'Unity Bridge' through streets of Lincoln|first=JoAnne|last= Young|work=[[Lincoln Journal Star]]|first2=Susan|last2=Minichiello|publisher=[[Lee Enterprises]]|date=August 18, 2017|accessdate=September 19, 2017}}</ref><ref name=Riles>{{cite news|url=http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/trump-unity-bridge-float-riles-some-in-iowa-city-20170818|title=Trump Unity Bridge float riles some in Iowa City|work=[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)|The Gazette]]|publisher=The Gazette Company|location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa|issn=1066-0291|accessdate=September 17, 2017|date=August 19, 2017|first=Erin|last=Jordan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/woodward-dream-cruise/2017/08/19/donald-trump-unity-bridge/104755778/|title=Trump Unity Bridge catches Dream Cruisers' attention|work=[[The Detroit News]]|publisher=[[Digital First Media]]|issn=1055-2715}}</ref>
The bridge is {{convert|50|feet}} long, over {{convert|13|feet}} tall, and weighs approximately {{convert|9000|lb}}. To make it road mobile, the bridge was attached to a legally registered [[motorcycle trailer]].<ref name=DetroitNews/> It features American flags, signage including six-foot-tall letters spelling "Trump", a carved wooden eagle, and a [[Replicas of the Statue of Liberty|replica]] of the [[Statue of Liberty]].<ref name=JournalStar>{{cite news|url=http://journalstar.com/news/local/trump-booster-rolls-his-unity-bridge-through-streets-of-lincoln/article_f03d9695-e8b3-5b78-b4d9-d43b49de50ec.html|title=Trump booster rolls his 'Unity Bridge' through streets of Lincoln|first1=JoAnne|last1= Young|work=[[Lincoln Journal Star]]|first2=Susan|last2=Minichiello|publisher=[[Lee Enterprises]]|date=August 18, 2017|accessdate=September 19, 2017}}</ref><ref name=Riles>{{cite news|url=http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/trump-unity-bridge-float-riles-some-in-iowa-city-20170818|title=Trump Unity Bridge float riles some in Iowa City|work=[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)|The Gazette]]|publisher=The Gazette Company|location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa|issn=1066-0291|accessdate=September 17, 2017|date=August 19, 2017|first=Erin|last=Jordan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/woodward-dream-cruise/2017/08/19/donald-trump-unity-bridge/104755778/|title=Trump Unity Bridge catches Dream Cruisers' attention|work=[[The Detroit News]]|publisher=[[Digital First Media]]|issn=1055-2715}}</ref>


The signs on the bridge include sayings such as "[[All Lives Matter]]", "American Culture", "[[Drain the swamp]]", "Hire American", and "Secure America's borders".<ref name=JournalStar/><ref name=Riles/>
The signs on the bridge include sayings such as "[[All Lives Matter]]", "American Culture", "[[Drain the swamp]]", "Hire American", and "Secure America's borders".<ref name=JournalStar/><ref name=Riles/>

Due to is haphazard construction, the contraption is often referred to as a "rattle-trap" as it's schlepped all over the state of Michigan.


==History==
==History==
Rob Cortis has owned the "bridge" since 1985.<ref name=DetroitNews>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/woodward-dream-cruise/2017/08/18/trump-unity-bridge-woodward-dream-cruise/104730850/|title=Trump Unity Bridge to visit Dream Cruise|newspaper =The Detroit News|date=August 18, 2017}}</ref> The trailer was stolen from Cortis' home in [[Livonia, Michigan]] in December 2014, and recovered in [[Belleville, Michigan|Belleville]].<ref name=Rolls>{{cite web | title=Livonia Man Tours The Region With 30-Foot Long Trump 'Unity Bridge' | publisher =CBS Detroit | date=2016-11-10 | url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/11/10/trump-unity-bridge-rolls-into-cbs-radio/ | access-date=2017-09-20}}</ref>
Rob Cortis, a resident of [[Livonia, Michigan]], has owned the bridge since 1985.<ref name=DetroitNews>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/woodward-dream-cruise/2017/08/18/trump-unity-bridge-woodward-dream-cruise/104730850/|title=Trump Unity Bridge to visit Dream Cruise|newspaper =The Detroit News|date=August 18, 2017}}</ref> The bridge was stolen from Cortis' [[Farmington Hills, Michigan|Farmington Hills]] property in December 2014 and recovered in [[Belleville, Michigan|Belleville]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Stolen 5,000-Pound Bridge Recovered In Metro Detroit |url=https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/12/05/stolen-5000-pound-bridge-recovered-in-metro-detroit/ |accessdate=9 November 2020 |work=[[WWJ-TV]] |date=5 December 2014}}</ref>


Cortis began driving the pro-Trump trailer in October 2016.<ref name=DetroitNews/> He drove 20,000 miles by January 2017,<ref name="wusa9">{{cite web|url=http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/trump-unity-bridge-rolls-into-dc-causes-a-scene/387183665|first=Debra|last=Alfarone|title='Trump Unity Bridge' rolls into DC, causes a scene|website=WUSA9.com|accessdate=2017-09-17}}</ref> and more than 40,000 miles by August 2017.<ref name=DetroitNews/> The float was vandalized in [[Alexandria, Virginia]], en route to the [[Mother of All Rallies]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2017/09/18/trump-supporting-vehicle-vandalized/676222001/|title=Trump-supporting vehicle and trailer vandalized|newspaper =The Detroit News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2017/09/16/vandals-nearly-destroy-trump-unity-bridge-ahead-of-pro-trump-rally-in-washington|title=Vandals nearly destroy Trump Unity Bridge ahead of pro-Trump rally in Washington|first=Violet|last=Ikonomova|newspaper =Metro Times|location =Ferndale, Michigan }}</ref>
Cortis began driving the pro-Trump trailer in October 2016.<ref name=DetroitNews/> He drove 20,000 miles by January 2017,<ref name="wusa9">{{cite web|url=http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/trump-unity-bridge-rolls-into-dc-causes-a-scene/387183665|first=Debra|last=Alfarone|title='Trump Unity Bridge' rolls into DC, causes a scene|website=WUSA9.com|accessdate=2017-09-17|archive-date=2018-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121204416/http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/trump-unity-bridge-rolls-into-dc-causes-a-scene/387183665|url-status=dead}}</ref> and more than 40,000 miles by August 2017.<ref name=DetroitNews/> The float was vandalized in [[Alexandria, Virginia]], en route to the [[Mother of All Rallies]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="detnews-vandalism">{{cite news |last1=Rahal |first1=Sarah |title=Trump-supporting vehicle and trailer vandalized |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2017/09/18/trump-supporting-vehicle-vandalized/676222001/ |accessdate=9 November 2020 |work=[[The Detroit News]] |date=18 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="metro-times-vandalism">{{cite news |last1=Ikonomova |first1=Violet |title=Vandals nearly destroy Trump Unity Bridge ahead of pro-Trump rally in Washington |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2017/09/16/vandals-nearly-destroy-trump-unity-bridge-ahead-of-pro-trump-rally-in-washington |accessdate=9 November 2020 |work=[[Metro Times]] |date=16 September 2017}}</ref>


In March 2019, Cortis interrupted an interfaith vigil in downtown [[Cleveland, Ohio]] commemorating the victims of the [[Christchurch mosque shootings]] by driving the float past twice while playing loud music.<ref name=Cleveland19>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland19.com/2019/03/15/trump-supporters-drive-build-wall-float-past-mourners-new-zealand-massacre-cleveland-city-hall/|first=John|last=Deike|title='Trump supporter drives 'build the wall' float past New Zealand mourners at Cleveland City Hall'|website=Cleveland19.com|accessdate=2019-03-16}}</ref>
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===Trump tour timeline===
* October–November 2016: Michigan; Ohio<ref name=Rolls/>
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* December 12: [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cleveland19.com/story/34030611/have-you-seen-the-presidential-trump-unity-bridge-driving-around-cleveland|title=Have you seen the Presidential Trump Unity Bridge driving around Cleveland?|last=Cleveland 19 Digital Team|first=|date=December 12, 2016|work=|access-date=2017-10-20|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref>
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* January 17, 2017: [[New York City|New York City, New York]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2017/01/17/this-dedicated-trump-supporter-couldnt-wait-for-inauguration-day/|title=This dedicated Trump supporter couldn’t wait for inauguration day|last=Blades|first=Erik|date=2017-01-17|website=New York Post|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>
⚫
* January 21: [[Washington, D.C.]], for the [[inauguration of Donald Trump]] and [[2017 Women's March]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-inaugration-scene/conflicted-u-s-capital-prepares-to-host-trumps-inauguration-idUSKBN154055|title=Conflicted U.S. capital prepares to host Trump's inauguration|last=Eisler|first=Peter|last2=Fares|first2=Melissa|date=2017-01-20|website=Reuters|access-date=2017-10-20|last3=Volz|first3=Dustin}}</ref>
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* March: [[Indianapolis|Indianapolis, Indiana]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/man-drives-trump-unity-bridge-though-indy|title=Man drives 'Trump Unity Bridge' though Indy|date=2017-03-20|website=RTV6|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref> [[Ypsilanti Township, Michigan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2017/03/trump_protesters_clash_with_su.html|title=Trump protesters clash with supporters at president's Michigan visit|last=Stanton|first=Ryan|date=2017-03-15|website=[[MLive Media Group]]|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>
⚫
* August 16: [[North Platte, Nebraska]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knopnews2.com/content/news/Trump-Bridge-of-Unity-rolls-through-town-440841793.html|title=Trump Bridge of Unity rolls through North Platte|last=Porterville|first=Mason|date=2017-08-16|website=KNOP-TV|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>
⚫
* August 17: [[Lincoln, Nebraska]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/pro-trump-float-hits-the-streets-in-downtown-lincoln/article_0f4ac4c2-8385-11e7-91c2-afe4c49d0bbe.html|title=Pro-Trump float hits the streets in downtown Lincoln|last=Hammel|first=Paul|date=2017-08-17|work=World-Herald Bureau|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>
⚫
* August 18: [[Iowa City, Iowa]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Trump-Unity-Bridge-trailer-passes-through-Iowa-City-on-coast-to-coast-tour-441052153.html|title='Trump Unity Bridge' trailer passes through Iowa City on coast to coast tour|last=Fickau|first=Ethan|date=August 18, 2017|website=|publisher=KCRG-TV9|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcci.com/article/trump-float-on-coast-to-coast-tour-rolls-through-iowa/12033167|title=Trump float on coast-to-coast tour rolls through Iowa|date=18 August 2017|publisher=[[KCCI]]|location =Des Moines, Iowa}}</ref>
⚫
* September 15: [[Alexandria, Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wxyz.com/news/see-video-trump-unity-bridge-from-metro-detroit-vandalized-in-virginia|title=See video: 'Trump Unity Bridge' from metro Detroit vandalized in Virginia|date=15 September 2017|publisher=[[WXYZ-TV]]|location =Detroit}}</ref>
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* September 16: Washington, D.C., for the Mother of All Rallies<ref name="Khalil Press 2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/trump-skips-town-still-focus-competing-rallies-dc/|title=Trump skips town, but still focus of competing rallies in D.C.|last=Khalil|first=Ashraf|last2=Associated Press|date=2017-09-16|work=[[PBS NewsHour]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/16/us/politics/juggalos-washington-march.html|title=Juggalos on the Mall? Just Another Weekend of Washington Protests|last=Baumgaertner|first=Emily|date=2017-09-16|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


On November 6, 2020, the float was impounded by Detroit Police for having an invalid license plate, and Cortis was taken into custody because of an outstanding warrant for a charge of disturbing the peace. Police warned him on Wednesday not to return to Detroit, but he did so anyway and was arrested.<ref name="metro-times-riding-dirty">{{cite news |last1=DeVito |first1=Lee |title=Owner of 'Trump Unity Bridge,' a roving shrine to Trump, arrested in Detroit for riding dirty |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2020/11/06/owner-of-trump-unity-bridge-a-roving-shrine-to-trump-arrested-in-detroit-for-riding-dirty |accessdate=9 November 2020 |work=[[Metro Times]] |date=6 November 2020}}</ref>
* October 8, 2017: [[Ann Arbor, Mi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/10/8/16442984/michigan-state-spartans-michigan-wolverines-rain-upset|title='Trump Unity Bridge on Main Stree Ann Arbor' |website=|publisher=KCRG-TV9|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/10/8/16442984/michigan-state-spartans-michigan-wolverines-rain-upset|title=Trump float on coast-to-coast tour rolls through Iowa|date=18 August 2017|publisher=[[KCCI]]|location =Des Moines, Iowa}}</ref>

On September 22, 2021, the float was involved in a three-vehicle crash in [[Flint, Michigan]]. Cortis was driving an ambulance hauling the Unity Bridge back to his home from an event opposing high school mask mandates when he hit another vehicle and spun into a telephone pole. There were no major injuries and there was no damage to the float.<ref name="trump-unity-bridge-involved-in-multi-vehicle-flint-crash">{{cite news |last1=Ritchey |first1=Isaac |title=Trump Unity Bridge involved in multiple car crash |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2021/09/trump-unity-bridge-involved-in-multi-vehicle-flint-crash.html |accessdate=22 September 2021 |work=[[Advance Publications]] |date=6 November 2020}}</ref>

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===Trump tour timeline===
* October–November 2016: Michigan; Ohio<ref name=Rolls>{{cite web | title=Livonia Man Tours The Region With 30-Foot Long Trump 'Unity Bridge' | publisher =CBS Detroit | date=2016-11-10 | url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/11/10/trump-unity-bridge-rolls-into-cbs-radio/ | access-date=2017-09-20}}</ref>
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* December 12, 2016: [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cleveland19.com/story/34030611/have-you-seen-the-presidential-trump-unity-bridge-driving-around-cleveland|title=Have you seen the Presidential Trump Unity Bridge driving around Cleveland?|last=Cleveland 19 Digital Team|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en}}</ref>
⚫
* January 17, 2017: [[New York City|New York City, New York]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2017/01/17/this-dedicated-trump-supporter-couldnt-wait-for-inauguration-day/|title=This dedicated Trump supporter couldn't wait for inauguration day|last=Blades|first=Erik|date=2017-01-17|website=New York Post|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>
⚫
* January 21, 2017: [[Washington, D.C.]], for the [[First inauguration of Donald Trump|inauguration of Donald Trump]] and [[2017 Women's March]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-inaugration-scene/conflicted-u-s-capital-prepares-to-host-trumps-inauguration-idUSKBN154055|title=Conflicted U.S. capital prepares to host Trump's inauguration|last1=Eisler|first1=Peter|last2=Fares|first2=Melissa|date=2017-01-20|website=Reuters|access-date=2017-10-20|last3=Volz|first3=Dustin}}</ref>
⚫
* March 2017: [[Indianapolis|Indianapolis, Indiana]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/man-drives-trump-unity-bridge-though-indy|title=Man drives 'Trump Unity Bridge' though Indy|date=2017-03-20|website=RTV6|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref> [[Ypsilanti Township, Michigan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2017/03/trump_protesters_clash_with_su.html|title=Trump protesters clash with supporters at president's Michigan visit|last=Stanton|first=Ryan|date=2017-03-15|website=[[MLive Media Group]]|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>
⚫
* August 16, 2017: [[North Platte, Nebraska]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knopnews2.com/content/news/Trump-Bridge-of-Unity-rolls-through-town-440841793.html|title=Trump Bridge of Unity rolls through North Platte|last=Porterville|first=Mason|date=2017-08-16|website=KNOP-TV|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>
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* August 17, 2017: [[Lincoln, Nebraska]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/pro-trump-float-hits-the-streets-in-downtown-lincoln/article_0f4ac4c2-8385-11e7-91c2-afe4c49d0bbe.html|title=Pro-Trump float hits the streets in downtown Lincoln|last=Hammel|first=Paul|date=2017-08-17|work=World-Herald Bureau|access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref>
⚫
* August 18, 2017: [[Iowa City, Iowa]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Trump-Unity-Bridge-trailer-passes-through-Iowa-City-on-coast-to-coast-tour-441052153.html|title='Trump Unity Bridge' trailer passes through Iowa City on coast to coast tour|last=Fickau|first=Ethan|date=August 18, 2017|publisher=KCRG-TV9|access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcci.com/article/trump-float-on-coast-to-coast-tour-rolls-through-iowa/12033167|title=Trump float on coast-to-coast tour rolls through Iowa|date=18 August 2017|publisher=[[KCCI]]|location =Des Moines, Iowa}}</ref>
⚫
* September 15, 2017: [[Alexandria, Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wxyz.com/news/see-video-trump-unity-bridge-from-metro-detroit-vandalized-in-virginia|title=See video: 'Trump Unity Bridge' from metro Detroit vandalized in Virginia|date=15 September 2017|publisher=[[WXYZ-TV]]|location =Detroit}}</ref>
⚫
* September 16, 2017: Washington, D.C., for the Mother of All Rallies<ref name="Khalil Press 2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/trump-skips-town-still-focus-competing-rallies-dc/|title=Trump skips town, but still focus of competing rallies in D.C.|last1=Khalil|first1=Ashraf|last2=Associated Press|date=2017-09-16|work=[[PBS NewsHour]]|access-date=2017-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/16/us/politics/juggalos-washington-march.html|title=Juggalos on the Mall? Just Another Weekend of Washington Protests|last=Baumgaertner|first=Emily|date=2017-09-16|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
*May 10, 2018: Elkhart, IN, outside of a Donald Trump and Mike Pence rally at North Side Middle School<ref name="sbt-elkhart-rally">{{cite news |last1=Bauer |first1=Caleb |title=Elements of parade and tailgate outside Trump rally |url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/politics/elements-of-parade-and-tailgate-outside-trump-rally/article_6fe431bd-f5ef-5c53-a939-60eafc079154.html |accessdate=9 November 2020 |work=[[South Bend Tribune]] |date=11 May 2018}}</ref>
* July 13, 2019: Byron, MI, Byron Family Fun Day Parade<ref name="weyi-byron">{{cite news |last1=Feick |first1=Joel |title=Controversial Trump float dominates Michigan parade |url=https://local21news.com/news/nation-world/controversial-trump-float-dominates-michigan-parade |accessdate=9 November 2020 |work=[[WEYI-TV]] |agency=[[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] |date=13 July 2019}}</ref>
*April 15, 2020: Lansing, MI, for Operation Gridlock<ref name="Salon">{{cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2020/04/16/bless-you-fox-news-stars-shower-blessings-upon-protesters-for-violating-coronavirus-restrictions/|title="Bless you": Fox News stars shower blessings upon protesters for violating coronavirus restrictions|date=2020-04-16|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>
*May 18, 2020: Owosso, MI, for an anti-lockdown rally in support of barber and business owner Karl Manke<ref name="detnews-manke">{{cite news |last1=LeBlanc |first1=Barbara |title=Joined by defiant Texas salon owner, Owosso barber calls for business owners to 'open up' |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2020/05/18/owosso-barber-calls-all-business-owners-open-up/5214002002/# |accessdate=9 November 2020 |work=[[The Detroit News]] |date=18 May 2020}}</ref>
*August 28, 2020: Stolen and crashed by thief, Tulsa, OK<ref>{{cite web |title=Mich. man's Trump Unity Bridge stolen and crashed while on tour in Tulsa, Okla. |url=https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/mich-mans-trump-unity-bridge-stolen-and-crashed-while-on-tour-in-tulsa-okla |website=FOX 2 Detroit |date=August 31, 2020 |quote=A Michigan man's touring creation called the Trump Unity Bridge was stolen and destroyed over the weekend in Tulsa, Okla.}}</ref>
*September 9, 2020: Alpena, MI.<ref>[https://www.thealpenanews.com/news/local-news/2020/09/trump-unity-bridge-returns-to-alpena/ Trump Unity Bridge returns to Alpena], The Alpena News</ref>
*January 29th, 2022: Detroit, MI. {{Citation needed|reason=viewed it myself, no public record as of yet. |date=January 2022}}


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
{{Portal|Politics|United States}}
* [[Campaign bus]]
* [[Campaign bus]]
* [[Mobile billboard]]
* [[Mobile billboard]]

⚫
{{Portal bar|Donald Trump|Politics|United States}}


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Cultural depictions of Donald Trump]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Donald Trump]]
[[Category:Replicas of the Statue of Liberty]]
[[Category:Vandalized works of art in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 17:47, 20 November 2024

The "bridge" in Iowa City, August 2017

The Trump Unity Bridge, also known as the Presidential Trump Unity Bridge and Trump Mobile,[1] is a decorated float being driven by a Michigan resident throughout the United States, supporting the 45th President, Donald Trump.[2][3] The float appeared at Trump's inauguration, the 2017 Women's March, and the Mother of All Rallies.

Description

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The Trump Unity Bridge at the Mother of All Rallies, in Washington, D.C., September 2017
The trailer with the Washington Monument in the background, September 2017

The bridge is 50 feet (15 m) long, over 13 feet (4.0 m) tall, and weighs approximately 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg). To make it road mobile, the bridge was attached to a legally registered motorcycle trailer.[4] It features American flags, signage including six-foot-tall letters spelling "Trump", a carved wooden eagle, and a replica of the Statue of Liberty.[5][6][7]

The signs on the bridge include sayings such as "All Lives Matter", "American Culture", "Drain the swamp", "Hire American", and "Secure America's borders".[5][6]

Due to is haphazard construction, the contraption is often referred to as a "rattle-trap" as it's schlepped all over the state of Michigan.

History

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Rob Cortis, a resident of Livonia, Michigan, has owned the bridge since 1985.[4] The bridge was stolen from Cortis' Farmington Hills property in December 2014 and recovered in Belleville.[8]

Cortis began driving the pro-Trump trailer in October 2016.[4] He drove 20,000 miles by January 2017,[9] and more than 40,000 miles by August 2017.[4] The float was vandalized in Alexandria, Virginia, en route to the Mother of All Rallies in Washington, D.C.[10][11]

In March 2019, Cortis interrupted an interfaith vigil in downtown Cleveland, Ohio commemorating the victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings by driving the float past twice while playing loud music.[12]

On November 6, 2020, the float was impounded by Detroit Police for having an invalid license plate, and Cortis was taken into custody because of an outstanding warrant for a charge of disturbing the peace. Police warned him on Wednesday not to return to Detroit, but he did so anyway and was arrested.[13]

On September 22, 2021, the float was involved in a three-vehicle crash in Flint, Michigan. Cortis was driving an ambulance hauling the Unity Bridge back to his home from an event opposing high school mask mandates when he hit another vehicle and spun into a telephone pole. There were no major injuries and there was no damage to the float.[14]

Trump tour timeline

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See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Bowling, Suzanna (18 January 2017). "A One Float Trump Parade in Times Square". Times Square Chronicles. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  2. ^ Dyke, Hunter (September 14, 2017). "On the road with Michigan's biggest Trump supporter". MLive.com. Advance Publications. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  3. ^ "Robert Cortis Brings the 30-Foot Long Trump "Unity Bridge" to CBS Radio". Detroit: WWJ-TV. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d "Trump Unity Bridge to visit Dream Cruise". The Detroit News. August 18, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Young, JoAnne; Minichiello, Susan (August 18, 2017). "Trump booster rolls his 'Unity Bridge' through streets of Lincoln". Lincoln Journal Star. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Jordan, Erin (August 19, 2017). "Trump Unity Bridge float riles some in Iowa City". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: The Gazette Company. ISSN 1066-0291. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  7. ^ "Trump Unity Bridge catches Dream Cruisers' attention". The Detroit News. Digital First Media. ISSN 1055-2715.
  8. ^ "Stolen 5,000-Pound Bridge Recovered In Metro Detroit". WWJ-TV. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  9. ^ Alfarone, Debra. "'Trump Unity Bridge' rolls into DC, causes a scene". WUSA9.com. Archived from the original on 2018-01-21. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  10. ^ Rahal, Sarah (18 September 2017). "Trump-supporting vehicle and trailer vandalized". The Detroit News. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  11. ^ Ikonomova, Violet (16 September 2017). "Vandals nearly destroy Trump Unity Bridge ahead of pro-Trump rally in Washington". Metro Times. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  12. ^ Deike, John. "'Trump supporter drives 'build the wall' float past New Zealand mourners at Cleveland City Hall'". Cleveland19.com. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  13. ^ DeVito, Lee (6 November 2020). "Owner of 'Trump Unity Bridge,' a roving shrine to Trump, arrested in Detroit for riding dirty". Metro Times. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  14. ^ Ritchey, Isaac (6 November 2020). "Trump Unity Bridge involved in multiple car crash". Advance Publications. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Livonia Man Tours The Region With 30-Foot Long Trump 'Unity Bridge'". CBS Detroit. 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  16. ^ Cleveland 19 Digital Team (December 12, 2016). "Have you seen the Presidential Trump Unity Bridge driving around Cleveland?". Retrieved 2017-10-20.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Blades, Erik (2017-01-17). "This dedicated Trump supporter couldn't wait for inauguration day". New York Post. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  18. ^ Eisler, Peter; Fares, Melissa; Volz, Dustin (2017-01-20). "Conflicted U.S. capital prepares to host Trump's inauguration". Reuters. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  19. ^ "Man drives 'Trump Unity Bridge' though Indy". RTV6. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  20. ^ Stanton, Ryan (2017-03-15). "Trump protesters clash with supporters at president's Michigan visit". MLive Media Group. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  21. ^ Porterville, Mason (2017-08-16). "Trump Bridge of Unity rolls through North Platte". KNOP-TV. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  22. ^ Hammel, Paul (2017-08-17). "Pro-Trump float hits the streets in downtown Lincoln". World-Herald Bureau. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  23. ^ Fickau, Ethan (August 18, 2017). "'Trump Unity Bridge' trailer passes through Iowa City on coast to coast tour". KCRG-TV9. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  24. ^ "Trump float on coast-to-coast tour rolls through Iowa". Des Moines, Iowa: KCCI. 18 August 2017.
  25. ^ "See video: 'Trump Unity Bridge' from metro Detroit vandalized in Virginia". Detroit: WXYZ-TV. 15 September 2017.
  26. ^ Khalil, Ashraf; Associated Press (2017-09-16). "Trump skips town, but still focus of competing rallies in D.C." PBS NewsHour. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  27. ^ Baumgaertner, Emily (2017-09-16). "Juggalos on the Mall? Just Another Weekend of Washington Protests". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  28. ^ Bauer, Caleb (11 May 2018). "Elements of parade and tailgate outside Trump rally". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  29. ^ Feick, Joel (13 July 2019). "Controversial Trump float dominates Michigan parade". WEYI-TV. Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  30. ^ ""Bless you": Fox News stars shower blessings upon protesters for violating coronavirus restrictions". 2020-04-16. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  31. ^ LeBlanc, Barbara (18 May 2020). "Joined by defiant Texas salon owner, Owosso barber calls for business owners to 'open up'". The Detroit News. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  32. ^ "Mich. man's Trump Unity Bridge stolen and crashed while on tour in Tulsa, Okla". FOX 2 Detroit. August 31, 2020. A Michigan man's touring creation called the Trump Unity Bridge was stolen and destroyed over the weekend in Tulsa, Okla.
  33. ^ Trump Unity Bridge returns to Alpena, The Alpena News
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