An Aurora, Indiana, parade float depicting Donald Trump executing Hillary Clinton in an electric chair has sparked controversy and prompted a semi-apology.
The float, which was part of Saturday's Aurora Farmers Fair Parade, also depicted President Barack Obama as an Easter Island head and included a grim reaper, WCPO-TV reported.
The station said public outcry began when resident Penny Britton posted a photo of the float on Facebook, saying, "Who thinks this is appropriate for a fair parade where CHILDREN, SOME OF THEM MINORITIES AND GIRLS, are marching and playing instruments and watching? Who thinks this is something to laugh at or be proud of? This is DISGUSTING. This makes me embarrassed to say I live here."
The float's creator, Frank Linkmeyer, who said he is a Democrat, told WCPO-TV he didn't mean to offend anyone and that he has spoofed people with his parade floats for years.
"It’s all in fun," he told the station. "Laughter is the best medicine in life and this country needs more laughter — and the people that are offended by it, I’m sorry. Don’t come to the parade next time."
The Aurora Lions Club, which sponsored the parade, issued a statement on its website, saying, "The Aurora Lions Club regrets the display which was part of the Aurora Farmers Fair parade on October 1st which offended some viewers. The parade is a public venue which does not reflect the views of the Aurora Lions Club. As a member of a worldwide service organization, we are proud and standby our record of service to this community. We appreciate the high levels of support and the esteem given to us by our citizens. We will continue to do our best to live up to their standards. We hope the political circus of this year's election stays with the national media."
The Dearborn County Democratic Party called the float offensive and out-of-touch but defended the Lions Club, and said the float doesn't reflect the values of the community, the IndyStar reported.
Many Twitter users seemed offended by the float, while others thought the outrage was much ado about nothing.
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