The local Ashland County Fair became a stage for unexpected political drama this week, as members of the Democratic Party were asked to vacate after selling buttons featuring messages interpreted as threats against the life of former President Donald Trump.
The booth selling these poignant pieces of merchandise, particularly emblazoned with the numbers “8647,” caught the eye of officials. These digits have been linked, rather ominously, with coded language suggesting assassination. After a brief showdown, the Ashland County Fair Board asserted their stance on family values, promptly vacating the Democrats from the fairgrounds.
“We were made aware of offensive buttons in the Democrat booth this afternoon. As a family-friendly fair, we cannot condone this behavior from any vendor. We apologize to any attendees who were offended. The Democratic Party has been asked to pack up their booth for the remainder of Fair week,” declared the Fair Board, adding a somewhat vague disclaimer about the non-political nature of their decision.
Fair President Martin Wesner confirmed to Fox 8 that while they respect free speech, a county fair, particularly with children present, is not the venue for such expressions. “We don’t condone anything of that nature at all,” he emphasized.
In a twist worthy of a political thriller, local law enforcement is now investigating the incident, with the Secret Service also notified of the allegations concerning potential threats against a former president. Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider described some of the offending merchandise as a “red ball cap” that read ‘Felon’ with the phrase ‘Is he dead yet?’ coupled with other insinuations regarding Trump’s obituary.
In response to the uproar, the Democrats released an extensive statement defending their rhetoric as merely political discourse—an assertion that seems hard to digest in the current climate, especially in light of recent violence specifically targeting political figures, such as the tragic incident involving Charlie Kirk.
The Ashland County Democratic Party was forced out of their booth at the fair on September 18th, 2025—a historic first in the fair’s over fifty-year history of permitting both parties to set up shop.
This decision, apparently enforced by three Republican members of the fair board alongside two county sheriff deputies, raises questions regarding political neutrality at local events. The sheriffs reportedly told party representatives they had to leave due to disapproval of the Democrats’ commentary challenging the Republican administration.
The local sheriff’s office further confirmed to FOX News in Cleveland that they would be coordinating with federal law enforcement on the matter. This episode serves as a reminder of past abuses of power; for example, historical figures like Nixon and McCarthy, who once wielded governmental power against dissenters.
Current events underline a chilling trend of law enforcement being used to stifle political expression at community level, which could pose dire implications for democratic values. As Senator Ed Markey aptly stated, this reflects “censorship in action.”
The Democratic Party remains determined to engage with Ashland County residents and uphold democratic principles that are increasingly under threat. They reiterate a commitment to fairness, equality, and opportunity for every resident, acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding their messaging rights amid heightened political tensions. “In retrospect, we should have considered the emotional atmosphere following the Charlie Kirk incident more carefully,” their statement read. They make it clear that while they oppose many Trump policies, they do so through peaceful means, adamantly distancing themselves from endorsing political violence.
This article is syndicated with permission from ToddStarnes.com —the digital domain of best-selling author and insightful journalist Todd Starnes, a multiple award recipient.
