Trump flies flag in face of fee

Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif -- Real estate mogul Donald Trump is refusing to pay the California Coastal Commission $10,000 to fly a 400-square-foot U.S. flag.

The test of wills began in 2006, when Trump chose a towering 70 foot flag pole -- far above the Rancho Palos Verdes City limit of 16 feet -- and a huge flag, which some residents say obstructs their view of scenic paths and parks, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

"It's a beautiful view coming around the corner and then you see this big thing," said Klaus Visser, who frequents the local beach.

The flag, flying above Trump's Rancho Palos Verdes golf club, was given a temporary permit by the city under condition that it pass a California Coastal Commission review. Trump submitted an application in August but didn't pay the fee for the application, the Times said.

"Since when do you have to pay to put up the American flag?" Trump asked.

But, Trump had similar problems in Palm Beach, Fla., where he flew a flag 15 times larger than was allowed, the report said. That ended with Trump setting fines by donating $10,000 to charities and moving the flag pole.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.