Meet South Florida’s biggest ‘Trumpafarian’

Davie man known for showing support for former president

DAVIE — Every Saturday morning like clockwork, Jim Walsh dons his Trump attire, grabs his Trump 2024 flag, unfolds his chair, and sits on the corner of Griffin Road and University Drive in Davie for two hours.

“Weather permitting,” the deeply tanned 67-year-old in sunglasses and a “Trump: Save America” baseball cap clarified on Saturday, about an hour into his vigil. “Like, I’m having my knee replaced next Tuesday, so I don’t think I’m going to be out here next Saturday. But probably the following Saturday.”

Some weeks, other supporters of former president Donald Trump stand around Walsh’s post, holding their own flags and signs. This time, about five others joined him.

Many weeks, he’s alone. It doesn’t really feel lonely on the corner, however; every few minutes, another driver passes by, honking in approval and flashing a thumbs up, or, sometimes, yelling expletives and giving Walsh the finger. Once, someone parked and came over to threaten him.

But Walsh is not changing his mind. He embodies the dedication of Trump’s most loyal followers, for whom patriotism and devotion to the former president are intertwined. Every interaction, good or bad, only strengthens his resolve and reminds him of his purpose.

“This is all about, not a love of country, but a passionate love of country,” Walsh explained. “Deeprooted, passionate love of country. Handed down from my father, I guess.”

On Thursday, news broke that a Manhattan grand jury had voted to indict Trump in connection to hushmoney payments he is

“This is all about ... a passionate love of country. Deeprooted, passionate love of country. Handed down from my father, I guess.”

— Jim Walsh

accused of making during his 2016 campaign, the latest scandal to galvanize his supporters on Walsh’s corner and at Mar-a-Lago an hour away. Trump has denied the allegations, calling the indictment “political persecution.”

John Lacoste, 57, hadn’t come out for a few months; then the indictment happened.

“With what’s going on and them trying to put him in jail and stuff,” he said Saturday. “It’s time.”

Lacoste likes to stand in the shade of a tree to avoid the sun. But Walsh, who boasts a deep tan, doesn’t mind it. He wears sun protection sleeves under his Trump T-shirts, and suggested that Lacoste do the same.

“He’s a die-hard,” Lacoste said of Walsh. “He’s just a dedicated patriot.”

But Walsh didn’t always love Donald Trump.

He grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, then moved to South Florida to attend Miami-Dade Community College. After graduating, he worked in pest control, then for Publix as a maintenance coordinator across several stores.

When the 2016 primary rolled around, he voted for Sen. Marco Rubio, then Trump in the general election. He’s been a fan ever since. And while he loves Gov. Ron DeSantis as well, he’ll never choose him over the former president.

Now retired, Walsh lives in Hollywood with his wife, about a 15 minute drive from the corner. He started coming nearly three years ago, in July of 2020, though he isn’t sure how he or others knew to gather there, or why they ended up in that location, next to a strip mall with an eyeglass store and a Starbucks.

Unlike some of his companions, Walsh’s enthusiasm does not ebb and flow with the course of current events. Every Sunday, he walks his Trump flag up and down the Hollywood Broadwalk. When people see him there on his off days, they’ll ask, “where’s the flag?”

“I just believe in consistency,” he said.

Even when he’s not carrying the flag, he’s wearing Trump attire, riding his bicycle around Hollywood.

“You heard of Rastafarians?” Walsh asked at one point, referring to the religious movement. “I’m a Trumpafarian.”

So is Trump his religion? “My religion is totally focused and centered in Jesus Christ, okay?” Walsh said. “That’s my religion. This just feels like... I didn’t serve in the military. My father did, he’s retired. My brother-in-law retired... so, you know, I come from a military background, I didn’t serve. Now, it’s time for my service.”

The Davie corner’s unofficial hours are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., though Lacoste said that, sometimes, he’ll stay by himself until 4 in the afternoon, waving his own flag.

As noon approached, Saturday’s group began to dissipate. One supporter came over to wish Walsh good luck with his surgery. He let her know that he’d be back in two weeks.

“Bye, I love you,” he said.