An advertising corporation has refused to install billboards featuring a prayer for former President Donald J. Trump from the group Catholics for Catholics (CforC). CforC, a 501c(4) organization, had contracted Lamar Advertising Company to install the billboards in Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The proposed design, a recreation of a photo of Trump raising his fist after an attempted assassination on July 13 in Butler County, Pennsylvania, featured the words, “St. Michael The Archangel, Defend Us In Battle.”
After reviewing available billboard locations in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay provided by Lamar, CforC entered into cost negotiations with Lamar’s Brian Kuermaier. He declined to offer discounts, categorizing the design as a “political ad” despite CforC’s explaining that it was part of a “Prayer Campaign for Country and Leaders.”
Kuermaier indicated that removing Trump’s face would qualify for a discount. However, CforC declined to do so, instead signing a contract for billboards featuring the former president at three locations on August 16.
BREAKING: Largest Billboard Company in US Cancels Catholic Group with Message Supporting Donald Trump
The billboards, show a recreation of the iconic picture of former President Donald Trump, bloodied after an attempted assassination, accompanied by words from the Prayer to… pic.twitter.com/fAoTYHjF3D
— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) September 17, 2024
On August 19, CforC received an invoice. However, the next day, Kuermaier informed CforC that Lamar’s Corporate Office had denied the design. They cited concerns it could be perceived as a Catholic endorsement of Trump.
Despite clarification attempts by CforC, including an assertion of CforC’s rights under Catholic Canon Law, Lamar upheld the decision.
“While they may have the right as a private company to cancel our contract, it seems as if Lamar Billboard Company is doing this to silence Catholics who support Trump… to brazenly put down in writing that they are refusing our message because ‘it plainly could be taken as a Catholic endorsement of Trump’ is alarming,” commented CforC CEO John Yep.